'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.' [‎437] (468/582)

DOWN THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
437
sea at Gogana. The character of the anchorage, as having shoals
and breakers near it, which showed themselves on the ebb-tide, is
still, however, characteristic of the place; and the approach, if
made near to them, is still narrow and dangerous. But those
very shoals and breakers, which were objects of terror to a Greek
fleet, are the cause of the secure anchorage afforded by them
to vessels navigated after the improved method of the moderns;
as ships anchoring in deep water, at a sufficient distance from
them to swing clear, in case of a change of wind, find a smooth
sea, and all the safety of a more confined harbour.
The small island of Monjella, as it is called in the English
charts, lies from four to five leagues south-south-west of the point
called Ras Berdistan by the natives, and the nearest part of the
main land bears from it east-north-east about a league and a half.
This island is called Umm -el-Nakheela, or 'the mother of palm
treesfrom 4 a mother, the root, or primary causeand
4 the palm or date tree.'
This is literally the same as the Palmeira of the Portuguese ;
and it is highly probable that, in giving this name to it, they
meant it to be a translation of the native one, which they found
characteristic of the spot to which it was affixed. It is also the
same as the Om-en-chale of Niebuhr, though he makes it a place
on the continent, and not an island. The difference in sound be
tween these names is not so great as in their orthography; but
the manner of writing the last, proves decidedly that Mr. Niebuhr
was not aware of the derivation of the name; and his placing it
on the continent is equally a proof that his information was from
report; for, if he had passed near to it, he would have seen an island
as large as Shitwar, covered with date trees, and thus explaining
the etymology of its name.
There is said to be no fresh water on the spot, and conse
quently no inhabitants; and this island, with two smaller name
less ones to the westward of it, is seated amidst shoals and broken
ground on every side. There is nevertheless a passage for native