'File 35/64 III Minerals in Oman. Madrasai geologists' researches' [‎53r] (114/276)

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mat/erial^ The maiori-oy of the men wear their hair long and
gatJier it, into a coil on their heads, not unlike that which was
fashionable amone; Inglishwomen some years ago» The women part
their hair in the middle and it falls in two plaits over their
shoulders. These people are very dark in colour, almost let
black» They are fond of smoking, and we saw a stone pipe being
passed round like a loving cup* This section of the tribe
possess a thousand head of cattle and about the same number of
goats^ they feed on the flesh and milk of their animals, and
also exchange them for rice, grain, cloth, etc., with the inha
bitants of the coast villages. The animals appeared to be in
good condition, they are taken down to the plain daily for
grazing*
On the return journey we noticed the grass huts inhabited by the
people just described, and examined the interesting ruins of
what was once an aqueduct running along the cliff lining the
adi Gaziz. This was evidently built, of the white stone now
to be found in the Lalala quarries, and was a very elaborate
structure, extending, we were told, from the spring at the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. 's
head to the plain below and thence to A1 Bilad, a total distance
of about nine miles. Kb traces sire said to exist now of the
continuation beyond the mouth of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. , which is to be
regretted.
After bidding farewell to jis Jighness the Sultan we returned
t.o .j., . L. i .edbreast" at 6 p.m. and she almost immediately weighed
anchor. It is hoped that the above information, which is
necessarily scanty owing to the short time at disposal, will be
amplified on a future occasion. f uestions of produce of the
Eamhan hills have either been reported on separately or are dis
cussed in the Gazetteer to which some details have been added.
It does not seem advisable to reproduce any of that here.
/ _ Major.
M U £ C A T.
~ r Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. j.B.M's Consul,
"he 14th January lyO?.
M U E C A T.