"كتيّب الجزيرة العربية. مجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٤] (٥٤٢/٣٨)

34
COMMUNICATIONS
branches off at Inqair. The travelling is good, the surface being
for the most part level and increasing in firmness after Salu .
Supplies. Wafer is obtainable throughout, and usually plentiful;
in the Hasa oasis it is abundant. Fuel is plentiful in the villages
of the first stage, but scarce between Shi'aibah and Salu'. At
Mazharah and Nta' (Anta') it is abundant, but, after this, rare except
in the form of ghadha bushes and brushwood. Fodder is generally
good, especially in spring. At Hofuf, small quantities of ghi,
sugar, rice, dates, figs, citrons, and Arab clothing are obtainable.
At Nta' there is a little wheat and barley ; there are camels, don
keys, and cattle both here and at Sarrar. General supplies must
be taken from Koweit.
Route No. 13, from Koweit to Qatif, coincides with Route No. 12 as
far as Inqair, and then traverses the Hasa tracts of Rada'if, Huzum,
and Biyadh. It is a little-frequented track obviously inferior in
convenience to the maritime route. There are no physical difficulties,
and the surface is generally good.
Supplies. Water good at the first stages, at Nta', and through
out Biyadh ; abundant in the Qatif oasis. Fuel is scarce in Salu',
and from Tareifah to the Qatif oasis, where it becomes plentiful.
Fodder is usually sufficient for a small caravan, though scanty
between Shi'aibah and Salu', and between Inqair and Tareifah.
Food supplies must be taken from Koweit.
Though Route No. 14, from Koweit to Zobeir, follows an unmade
track, it is usually practicable for wheeled transport all the way to
Zobeir and beyond to Basra ; but the section crossing the Mutla'
pass, 3 miles N. of Jahrah, would require to be made for the passage
of any considerable force, and the loose sand before the pass covered
with brushwood or other suitable material. The coast-route via
Qasr es-Sabiyah and Umm Qasr is cooler, but less adapted to wheel
traffic.
Supplies. Water abundant at Jahrah ; none between that place
and Qash'aniyah, a distance of 47 miles ; a good supply 1 mile from
Safwan. On the coast-route water is more plentiful, but, except
at Sabariyah and Bahrah, of inferior quality. Fuel is scarce on
the main route except at Jahrah and Rafidhiyah; on the coast-
route there is sufficient for a small force. On both routes there is
fair camel-grazing. No food-supplies between Jahrah and Zobeir
by either route ; but at the latter place provisions are obtainable
in moderate quantities. In the district of Dirhamiyah, a few miles
to the SE. of it, live-stock, rice, maize, dates, and melons.