'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.' [‎666] (765/905)

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ANCIENT SCIENCE AND ART.
[CHAP. XXV.
The philosophy of Arabia in the earliest ages may be collected
from the dialogues in the Book of Job: it is evident that the
Astronomy, stars were then divided into constellations ; for in one passage 1
Bookof Job. the Deity calls upon the Patriarch to say whether he can bind
the delights of Chimah, and loosen the bands of Chesil, which
have been interpreted to signify the Pleiades and Orion. A star,
or cluster, is also mentioned under the name of Mazzaroth;
and it is remarkable that the isolation of the earth in space is
indicated 2 by its being suspended from nothing. The balancing
of the clouds, the formation of rain, and the effects of frost in
contracting the breadth of water, are noticed, 3 together with
the quarters of the horizon from whence proceed tempests and
fair weather. 4 Concerning the arts, we find written characters
in use, and the practice of engraving on stones. 5 Mining and
smelting operations are alluded to; and various precious stones
enumerated. 6 Molten looking-glasses, probably metallic mir
rors, are mentioned ; 7 and the shortness of life is illustrated by
comparisons with the swiftness of post-messengers and ships. 8
objects of Respecting natural history, it will be found that many
noticed in that beasts and birds are incidentally noticed in the same book;
and the plants which are mentioned prove that botany must
have been attentively studied; agriculture was practised, and
the sounds of the harp, the organ, and the timbrel, were heard
at the social meetings of the people
Owing to the nature of the country, and the mode of living,
the people of Arabia have had but little opportunity of dis
playing their ingenuity in the erection of buildings; yet the
bSiigs in structures in Tehameh, 'Oman, Nedjd, and the Hijaz, which
Arabia g a re almost entirely in the Saracenic style, show much taste.
The Khanats, elsewhere described, are precisely similar to
those of Persia; and the excavations of Petrsea, Yemen, and
the Hijaz, are vast monuments of the skill and industry of
the ancient people of the country. The great dyke of Mareb,
among other structures, is in that style of architecture which
1 Chap. XXXVIII., v. 31, 32. 2 Chap. XXVI., v. 7.
3 Chap. XXXVII., v. 10, 16. 4 Ibid., v. 9, 22.
5 Chap. XIX., v. 23, 24. 6 Chap. XXVIII., v. 1-18.
7 Cha P- XXXVII., v. 18. a Chapi IX<5 v> 25)