'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎202] (311/496)

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By three in the afternoon we were once more on our way. The ascent
became very steep, and we now came upon large fragments of iron-stone,
interspersed with lava and black basalt: small masses of red ochre were
common, as also hardened clay; and the frankincense tree now began to
be very abundant. A most fatiguing ascent of two hours exhausted man
and beast, and, too tired to trouble ourselves about the tent, we lay down
on the mountain side under the lee of an ancient burial-ground, and with
the thermometer down to 65°, and the clouds rolling round us, were
drenched to the skin with the dew.
The hour for morning prayer found us packed up and on our road.
For three hours we crossed over undulating hills, every mile rapidly in
creasing the elevation. The dragon’s-blood^free now appeared in abun
dance, and, from my former experience amongst the Mijirtheyn, I was
not surprised to find that its value was unknown in the Oor Sungeli coun
try. The a bochain” of Socotra, a peculiar tree found also in Aden, but
I believe possessing no generic name, was seen on every side; and another
extraordinary specimen, like a gigantic bulb of three to four feet in dia
meter, with a few small sprouts not w r orthy of the name of branches,
springing from its top, attracted our attention, at an estimated height
of 4000 feet. We halted during the heat of the day, with the thermome
ter 76° at noon. The country now began to assume the general charac
ter of a limestone range. The water-course that we had left the day pre
vious was to be seen winding its way into the ravines of the high range,
and here and there a cluster of white limestone slabs pointed out the
site of an ancient graveyard.
At three p.m. the ascent was resumed. The country became more thick
ly wooded, and more beautiful, as we advanced. The track of the ihi
noceros warned us to have our rifles in readiness, and before sunset we
pitched on a small level spot of ground, about 1000 feet below the pea i
of Eyransid. A stream of delicious water was found within half a mile o
the tent, the only drawback upon which was that it abounded in sma
leeches, which rendered it necessary to be cautious in drinking without
due examination. The tree, from the root of which is made the poison
for the Somali arrow, was here pointed out to us, and I have now wi
me a piece of it. Here, as in other places, extensive burial-grounds were
observed, but, owing to the long drought, the people had retired to . ^
mountains further inland, and, had we not taken the precaution of riv
ing a few sheep with us from the sea, we should have been on veiy s
commons indeed.