'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎96] (138/733)

96
DESCRIPTION OF THE ARABIAN COAST.
Pheleechi. In the ages previous to Islam, it was extremely populous
as its very extensive existing remains evince; in which ancient coins
also are occasionally found. These occupy a space of ground two
Furseekhs in length from north to south, by one in breadth from east to
west. J he soil is saline and sandy to a great extent all around, but
the water is sweet in wells at a fathom deep.
. To tlie north-east of Jahrah fourteen Furseekhs, towards the sea, is
situated the town of Sabbeyyah, anciently well peopled, as here also'its
ruins declare. It derives its name, as is said, from the Sabeans, and is
supposed to be the remains of one of their cities, built after the destruc
tion ofBabel. Moslem historians declare that it continued flourishing
down to the age of the Dhurmiad Khaliphs, when it fell, and its popu
lation dispersed; some of whom are, it is asserted, still living in
Khujistan. The Arabs dwell in this spot during summer, invited by
its cooler temperature.
The extent of the Beni Khalid territory, inland, varies at different
points : from Koweit to Dehna, the frontier of Nujd, is a distance of ten
days; from Adan to the same point eight days; the same from the
vicinity of the Balbul and Boo Ali districts ; from Kateef thither nine
days ; and from /obara to Dehna thirteen days.
On clearing the mouth of the Euphrates, bound for the Arab shore
you reach the bay or Dohat of Hajee Silo ; south-east of which is the
anchorage, or Khore Mughanwee; and to the south-west Khore Abdal-
lah. Between this last and Bubean is the rocky shallow or Dieh Ras-
al-Kaid, which lies off the eastern point of the island of Bubean;
whence are formed two anchorages, the southern one termed Warbah'
and the northern Rabac-iyyah ; both which extend to the inlets o^
channels Khuair and Sabbeyyah,
^ The next point is Duwairah, the port of the Zobier, situated on the
Khuair, which is interposed between Duwairah and Dohat Hajee Silo.
Along the Khuair there are several islands and Khores.
Of the more remarkable positions, however, are A1 Haddamah, a
c osed Khore ; Kasr Ash Shatan-iyyah ; A1 Bahaith ; Khuar Ath Tha-
a-ahl ; Dohat-al-Bagar, opposite to which, on Bubean, is the closed
Khore Rawaishid, and A1 Maghasil.
Next is Sabbeyyah, a building at the outlet of the Khuair, and oppo-
site to Birshah, the south-eastern point of Bubean. South of this is the
island of Mashkan ; eastward of Mashkan is the rocky shallow Aich-al-
Holaibe ; and northward those of the Sabbeyyah channel. Between
this island and the shallows there is a passage for smaller boats ; and to
t e south of it is the island of Pheleechi ; south of this, Ohah ; and
eastward of Ohah a Gussar, or shallow flat.