'Handbook of Yemen' [‎17v] (39/190)

were provided. The war between Italy and Turkey, and,
since then, the European war, have put an end to the
scheme for the present, with the net result that what
material was not destroyed by the Italian bombardment
now lies rusting.
Hodeidah has two forts, north and south, both falling
into ruin, but conspicuous from seaward. The houses are
tall and are usually of stone or brick, almost every one
having its characteristic wattle shelter on the flat roof
where the inhabitants seek the cool air at night. The
town is divided into two quarters by a semi-circular wall
which reaches the shore at both ends. The old town, in
the space towards the sea, consists of tall stone houses,
narrow streets, and covered bazaars ; outside the wall lies
a large area of thatched houses, sheds, and compounds.
The town in general is dirty, unsanitary, and unhealthy.
There is an open market for the exchange of the natural
products of the country—coffee, hides, skins—on an expanse
of sand outside the town ; whilst the bazaars within the
walls are considerable and well stocked with supplies of
a general kind. In the immediate vicinity of the town are
extensive areas of palm-groves and gardens, but immediately
beyond these the surrounding country is extremely sterile.
The local water supply is poor ; there are some brackish
wells m the neighbourhood, but pure water has to be brought
from a distance of some miles.
Telegraph lines to (a) San f a, Dhamar, Yerim, Ibb, Ta iz,
and Mokhah ; (6) Beit el-Faqih, Zebid, Mokhah, and Perim
s an (c) Loheiah and Midi, with a branch to Kamaran
Island (not working).
is an ancient seat of learning,
situated about thirty miles south by east of Hodeidah. The
popu ation is about 5,000, but was greater formerlv when
the centre of the coffee trade was here. It is garrisoned
norma } y a luridsh battalion, designed to overawe the
aramq ri esmen, whose contumacious independence has