'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎614] (657/1050)

614
FARASlN
Zukalc and Dahrdt Abu Musali islands. —Zukak island is situated at a distance of
9 miles west by north from the western Dahrat Maraya island, and Dahrat
Abu Musali is 5 miles south-eastward from Zukak. Both are small dry
sanl banks without any vegetation, Zukak being the larger.
Dahrat Simar (I).—An islet surrounded by a reef and situated at a distance of 20
mil is south-eastward from Abu Masali island.
Wasaliyat islands. —About 15 miles south-eastward from Dahrat Simar is the
northern Wasaliyat island ; the other lies one mile to the south from it, the
two islands occupying a space of 2 J miles. Both are low, sandy, and on
a coral bank 4 miles long and nearly 2 miles wide.
Matrahain island, —This small rocky island is one of the outlying islets of the
groups of which the Farasan islands form the centre. It is situated in lati-
tude 17° 9' N., longitude 41° 34' E.
Dahrat Matrahin. —A small rocky island, encircled by a reef, lying 7 miles south-
westward from Matrahain island.
Sail Mahawa. —A small island surrounded by a shallow bank situated 10 miles
west-south-westward from Dharat Matrahain.
Dhi Dhahaya and Hanish islands.—Two low and sandy islands, lying close together
at a distance of about 5 miles south-eastward from Sail Makawa.
Khaima island. —A low triangular island of sand and coral, one mile wide, situated
at a distance of 5 miles from Dahrat Matrahain. It is surrounded by five
small islets which are all on the coral reef that is connected with the bank
running westward from the northern end of Farasan Saghir.
Jahal Momad island. —An island 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, situated at a dis
tance of 11 miles eastward from Dahrat Matrahain. On the eastern part is
a high wedge-shaped hill, the remainder of the island is low ground consisting
of sand and coral.
Jaiirat Disdn. —Situated at a distance of about 3 miles South-south-eastward from
Khaima island, is the northern point of Jazirat Disan, with an islet close off
it and separated from Disan by a deep channel. On the southern part of
Disan is the high hummock known as Jabal Disan. The island is of angular
form, about 13 miles in circumference, and is generally flat, rising gradually
towards the centre. The south-eastern part of Jazirat Disan is connected by
a shallow bank with Ras Farasan, the north-western point of Farasan Kabir.
On the southern side of Jazirat Disan are the remains of a village consisting
of about 100 houses built of rough stones without cement, and near it,
a cemetery containing about a thousand Mussalman graves, and a tomb enclosed
by a wall. This village is said to have been inhabited up to the year 1833.
Neither wood nor water were found by the surveyors shortly after that date.
JSarso islands. —Two narrow islands lying parallel with each other situated at
a distance of about 4 miles, south-westward from Jazirat Disan. From their
north-western ends, they extend about 5J miles in a south-easterly direction
separated from each other by a narrow channel. The eastern island is named
Sindi Sarso. They are of coral formation, the western island being about half
a mile wide, and the eastern half that width. Both are of considerable height,
Sarso being 160 feet above the level of the sea, with sharp points of coral show
ing above its surface.
Umm-al- Bisran. —An island situated about 6 miles eastward from the south
eastern end of Sarso in lat. 16° 48' N., long. 48° 41' E. It is about 5 miles
in circumference and rather high, but with a valley in the centre into which
the sea-water flows. There is an abundance of wood, but no fresh water is
obtainable.
Za'al Fif. —Nearly 3 miles southward from Umm-al-Bisran is the northern part
of Za'al Fif, which from thence extends about 7^ miles in an east-south-easterly
direction, and is 2 miles wide. The land is high and deep coves run up into
the central part of the island from both ends. Fresh water may be procured
with some difficulty; wood may also be cut, and antelopes are to be found.
Sahodn island. —Situated about 11 miles south-eastward from Za'al Fif, and on
the eastern edge of the same bank. Tt is about 2 miles long, high and of coral
formation.