'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎388] (419/582)

388
TRADE OF BUSSORAH.
aft, is also a great advantage ; since, from the close stowage and
great confinement of animal heat, a free passage for air is always
desirable. If ports are not in the ship, large scuttles should be
cut in lieu of them, and windsails for the hatchways should be
used to increase the circulation of air below.
Of the horses exported to India from hence, the general age is
about four years ; those above seven are seldom sent, and colts
under two, rarely or never, except by express desire of any one
ordering it. Mares are by no means so easy to be procured as
horses; since the Desert Arabs almost every where prefer them for
their own riding, from their giving less trouble on a journey ; they
keep them also for breeding; but it is not true, as has been as
serted, that no consideration will induce an Arab to part with his
mare, or that he would as soon think of selling his wife and
family. The fact is, that mares are more useful to them than
horses, and, being less beautiful and less in fashion to ride on in
India, are less in demand by the purchasers at Bussorah. But a
person desirous of procuring a mare might at any time obtain one
for the payment of its estimated value in the country; and this
would be but little more than that of a horse of the same class.
It has been thought, too, that there was a law prohibiting the ex
portation of mares from Arabia; but this, as has been already
explained, extends to horses of every description. Such an order
is as permanent as ever, and remains unrepealed at Constantinople :
but since the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Bagdad, though not versed perhaps in the
doctrines of political economy, perceives that the supply of horses
actually keeps pace with the demand, and that, though 1500 are
exported annually, as many can be raised for the service of the
Government as could have been done when not one was allowed
to be sent away, his fears on that head are quieted. A more
powerful motive, however, for his winking at the non-observance
of this decree of the Sublime Porte is, that the exportation is pro
ductive of great returns to the Custom-house here, and increases
the funds of the Governor of Bussorah, who holds his place under