'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.' [‎633] (730/905)

CHAP. XXIV.] DESERT OF NEDJD. 633
Ludam, and El Metile. The Dowaser Arabs are described
as being very tall, and almost a black race: they live here
m winter, and remove to more fertile pastures during the
summer. Next to these are the Beni Kelb, whose language is
so barbarous that it has been compared to the barking of dogs. 1
El Afladj, the last district to be noticed, lies immediately ei Afladi
north-eastward of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Dowaser, and is of an oval shape.
It contains Mescheylleh, El Anegley, El Ghoal, El Kharfeh,
Starah, Hararah, Leyle, and El Bedey; but, like the former
district, it is scarcely known.
Onward is the principal desert of Nedjd, which extends Principal
north-eastward nearly 5° by upwards of 3° in width from the de8ert '
south-eastern to the north-western side, where it is bounded
by Jeb-el-Aridh. This portion of Arabia has long been con
sidered a mere sandy waste, only watered from the clouds ; but
recent accounts show that it is not quite so desolate; and it
is at least partially inhabited. In summer time it is wholly
deserted, being without wells; but in winter, after rains,
when the sands produce herbage, all the great tribes of Nedjd,
Hijaz, and Yemen, pasture their flocks in parts of this desert,
bordering respectively on their own countries. 2
Nedjd is the original seat, as well as the present centre, of
the Wahhabi power; and to the firmness of this people in
maintaining their new religion, as well as to their gallant
defence of their country, against the inroads of the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of
Egypt, we are indebted for the little knowledge that has been
recently gained of the state of the province. This is derived
from the observations made by Monsieur Mengin, who served
in Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's army; also from Captain Sadleir's journey,
and that of M. Reinan, which was made long before.
One of the principal routes is from El Khatif, in a west- Routes,
south-westerly direction to Der'ayyah, and another lies more
southward: this was followed by Captain Sadleir, from El
Hassa by Amer-Robbia and Manfouah to the same city.
From this there is a caravan route to Mekkah, keeping S.W.
along the slopes of Jeb-el-Aridh; and passing by Soda, Kar-
1 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. II., p. 386. 8 Ibid,, p. 390.