'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.' [‎650] (749/905)

650
PORT OF GRANE.
[CHAP. XXIV.
situation of and the port extends westward several miles before it becomes
too shallow for large vessels; its width, from south to north,
opposite the town, extends nearly seven miles before the water
is less than three fathoms deep. Grane is 43 miles S.W. of
the bar of the Euphrates, with which river it has a second
communication by going round the Island of Boobian; it is
completely an Arab town, the houses being clay-built, with
several small flat-roofed apartments, built round a court; and
it probably contains more than 8000 persons. It is situated
in a very arid country, badly supplied with water, and almost
deprived of verdure and cultivation, with the exception of a
few dates; but in other respects the place is flourishing, having
about 800 bagalas for the trade by sea to India and other
parts. It carries on an inland trade by means of caravans,
which go to Yemen, Nedjd, the Hijaz, &c., and also from the
neighbouring city of Basrah to Mekkah, &c.
The interior of El Ah'sa presents a varied surface, contain-
ing a good deal of desert, but having at intervals camps or vil
lages and sometimes towns. It is subdivided into several small
districts, the most considerable of which bears the same name;
it is also called Lahissa, and is justly celebrated for its small
TownofFoof. but remarkably active breed of horses. Foof, the capital, is
surrounded by a mud wall 50 feet high, with two gates, and
a ditch: it is situated about 96 miles south-eastward of Khatif;
and, including the suburbs, a large open village with cultivated
grounds and date plantations to the eastward; there are about
15,000 inhabitants.
Jomiab. On the road to the capital, about 54 miles from Khatif, is
the walled village of Jomiah, situated in the midst of date
groves, and abundantly supplied with water, especially an
extensive lake, which fertilizes the adjacent plain. 1
Three quarters of a mile northward of Foof is the fort of
Mubarrez, or Mubuyez, surrounded by a deep ditch defended
by lofty towers; it has one gate leading to an extensive open
suburb, which, with the inhabitants of the fort itself, probably
amount to 10,000 souls. Extending eastward of Mubarrez
Captain Sadleir's Journey, in the Bombay Lit. Trans., vol. III., p. 464.