"دليل الجزيرة العربية المجلد II" [‎١‎٣‎٨‎٩] (٦٨٨/٤٥٠)

'OMAN PROPER
Hills, —Jabal-al-Kor is a range 20 miles in length, which runs nearly north and south
and has peaks about 7,000 feet high. At either extremity it is crossed by a compara
tively low pass, on the north by that over the Najd-al-Barak, a col 3,700 feet high which
connects it with Jabal Akhdhar; on the south by a pass over the Najd-al-Makhar:m,
2,500 feet high, at the point where Jabal Hamrah joins on to Jabal-al-Kor. Both passes
are practicable for camels, but the descent from Najd-al-Makharim on the eastern side
lies down a rocky torrent-bed and is not easy for loaded animals. Jabal Hamrah appears
to run south-eastwards from Najd-al-Makharim, but its direction and extent have not
been investigated by any European traveller; this range is of a terra-cotta colour and
may possibly differ in geological structure, as it does in appearance, both from Jabal-al-
Kor and Jabal Akhdhar.
Valleys. —'Oman Proper possesses two main channels of drainage, Wadi Kalbu, and
Wadi Halfain, both of which traverse it from north to south, the former from Nizwa near
its centre, the latter from Izki at its eastern extremity. The western part of the district
appears to be drained by various Wadis from Jabal-al-Kor which join Wadi Kalbu on
its right bank ; one of the principal of these is the wadi on which Bahlah stands, formed
by the junction of Wadi Ghol from Najd-al-Barak and a more southern wadi called
Wadi Shams, or Shamah. Another is Wadi Saifam containing a village of the same
name; it runs south-eastwards from the neighbourhood of Najd-al-Barak, and joins
Wadi Kalbu. The subsequent course of Wadi Kalbu is uncertain ; but it is believed
to fall into Wadi Halfain in the desert.
General configuration, etc. —The surface of 'Oman Proper outside the oases is rough
and broken. The central portion, which contains the towns of Bahlah, Nizwa, and Izki
but not Manah, is called the Jauf, that is the hollow or basin ; it is a stony plain thickly
dotted with small volcanic hills and mounds, some of conical shape. The northern part
of it in particular, under Jabal Akhdhar, is very barren and is seamed with dry water
courses. A wide and level surface with a gentle declivity to the south separates Izki
from Manah, and between Manah and Adam again is a smooth, gently descending ex
panse, uninhabited, but sprinkled with dwarf mimosa and bunches of desert grass and
containing bustard, partidges, sandgrouse, gazelle and hares. Looking to the south and
east from Adam neither hill nor habitation meets the eye, and the line of the horizon is
unbroken as the sea; to the north, in the distance, the grand pile of Jabal Akhdhar
towers into the sky. At many places in 'Oman Proper the springs are hot, their tem
perature ranging from 102 to 112° F.
Topography. —The following alphabetical table of inhabited places will give an idea of
the fixed population and resources of 'Oman Proper;—
Town
Houses
or
Position.
and
Remarks.
village.
inhabitants.
Adam
See'article Adam.
Aqll ..
6 hours from Izki,
80 houses of 'Awa-
There are two towers.
probably south
wards.
mir.
Animals are 40 camels,
12 donkeys, 20 cattle
and 100 sheep and goats.
Date palms number 2,000.
'Awamir (Qal'at-
2 hours from 'Aqil
70 houses of 'Awa-
One of a group of 'Awamir
al-)
mir.
villages in Wadi Halfain
known as Falaj-al-'Awamir.
Dates and wheat are cul
tivated in all the villages
of the group. At this vil
lage there is a fort held by
the 'Awamir; there are
5 camels, 10 donkeys, 30
cattle and 60 sheep and
goats. Date palms num
ber 3,000.