'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎618] (713/905)

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CARAVAN ROUTES.
[CHAP. XXIII.
and indefatigable Niehbuhr, 1 whose route from Mokha to Sana
has lately been followed by Mr. Cruttenden. 2
We learn from these sources that the climate is temperate,
and the population considerable ; that the people reside in stone
dwellings, and are chiefly employed in cultivating coffee.
Former Before the desolating inroad of Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. the popula-
popuiat ionof tion of Yemen amounted to nearly 3,000,000 of persons, who
were spread over a fertile and, until then, a well-cultivated
country; the valleys, hills, and even the sides and summits
of the loftier mountains, produced an abundance of grain,
figs, dates, apricots, pomegranates, coffee, excellent roots, and
oleaginous seeds. 3
TownofLahaj. Two caravan routes lead from Aden into the interior : one
passes along the eastern slopes of the mountains by San'a, the
other crosses one part of the chain, and, after sending a branch
to Mokha, it proceeds northward through Tehameh. Both
take a north-westerly direction for about 18 miles to Lahaj, a
dirty town, situated in a plain, which produces much grain
and a variety of fruits. This place contains the palace of the
sultan of the Abdale Arabs, and about 5,000 inhabitants, of
whom some are Jews and a few San'alis. The bazar is well
stocked with inferior silks, cotton cloths, also dates, butter, and
other provisions. 4
Town of Abb. Onward, the road at first inclines N.W., by Mukatera and
Dimla, to Abb, a considerable place on the high road from
Ta'ez to Sana. The city is walled, and situated on a hill
north of Jebel Maharras; it contains about 800 well-built
houses and a large reservoir supplied by an aqueduct. 5 One
day's journey towards Sana is Jebb, or Jebaleh, a town built
at the period when Salah-ed-din conquered Yemen. 6
Some miles eastward of Abb is the district of Kataba, con
taining the small town of Khai'ran; and again, farther in the
1 This old traveller has done more for the advancement of geographical
knowledge than almost any other individual. I have followed his steps
extensively, and I can say that he is most accurate.
2 See Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol. VIII., p. 26 , 7.
3 Jihdn Numa, in the chapter on Arabia.—Niehbuhr, p. 142 et seq.
4 Vol. VIIL, p. ISl, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
5 Niehbuhr's Travels in Arabia, vol. I., p. 351. 6 Arabic Geo. MS., &c.