'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎614] (707/905)

614
YEMEN
[CHAP. XXIII.
some are handsomely built in the style of those of San'a, but
many portions, both within and without the walls, are no
better than ordinary huts. Mokha sprang up with the coffee
trade about four centuries ago, and is now only second to
Zebid i 1 it contains, according to Lord Valencia's estimate,
about 5000 souls.
Character of The remainder of the territory, or Yemen Proper, also
e country. ca 2j e( j s arwa ^ f r om its position behind the mountains, forms
quite a contrast with the preceding dry and sandy plain. This
tract extends along the crest and both slopes, but chiefly the
eastern side of the great chain which traverses the country
in a south-easterly direction, and it comprises the best part of
Arabia Felix. The epithet Happy was derived from its climate
and fertility, and its abundance of corn, vines, cattle, and
spices. It has also wholesome water and warm springs,
numerous brooks, and an agreeable temperature. Its kings
have splendid residences, and the condition of the people indi
cates that they live in a state of comfort. 2
Sets' 0f mountains separated by deep valleys, with small plains
occasionally intervening, cause this part of Arabia not only
to be naturally divided into provinces, but also broken into a
number of petty states, each under an almost independent
local government. These tracts, which elsewhere in Arabia
are generally designated Nahuet (district), in Yemen take the
name of Mikhlaf: there are seventy-four of them, in addition
to eight principal divisions. 3
Asir. A sir, one of the latter, forms the northern termination of
the province, and is of considerable extent, stretching from
the great range here called Jebel Beni Said, eastward to the
frontiers of El Ahkaf, and from the borders of Hijaz south
ward to the smaller districts of Senhan and Abybda. This
mountainous country contains several tribes, of which the
principal are the brave Asir; it contains also the villages of
Asir, Shekrateyn, Ed-dahye, Shohata, Ed Djof, and others. 4
1 Niehbuhr's Travels in Arabia, vol. I., pp. 426, 427.
2 Amm. Marcel, c. XXIII.; Diod. Sic., lib. VI., p. 333.
3 Arabic MS. in the British Museum, 7502; translated by Dr. Sprenger.
4 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. II., p. 381.