"كتيّب الجزيرة العربية. مجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٥‎٦] (٥٤٢/٦٠)

56
COMMUNICATIONS
travelled nowadays owing to the insecurity produced on its northern
stages by the recalcitrant Zaranik (Dharaniq) tribesmen. Com
paratively few details are available about it. It traverses or skirts
the Tihamah plain throughout, and lies across barren desert nearly
'all the way. The actual track is not infrequently lost to view
on account of shifting sand-drifts, and wide detours have sometimes
to be made in consequence. Some parts are exceedingly heavy
going.
Supplies. There is, in general, a sufficient supply of water from
wells, but it is neither plentiful nor very good. Fodder is scarce,
and other supplies, except at Beit el-Faqih and Zebid, are prac
tically unobtainable.
The track from San'a to Riyadh in South Nejd, which is given as
Route No. 58, depends in great measure on native report, and
distances and details in connexion with it must be accepted with
all reserve. It is said to be a regular caravan track. The Yemen
section of the route is mountainous, and, after leaving the plateau
about Makhlaf (or Mikhlaf) el-Nejran, it is a purely desert route
through some of the least known parts of Arabia. The journey
would be a severe one in both the mountainous and the desert
sections, and suitable for the most part for dhelul (female camel)
riders only.
Supplies. From San'a to Makhlaf, water and fodder are plentiful,
or easily obtainable from the districts in the neighbourhood; but,
beyond, they would probably be scarce (even very scarce in parts)
as far as Badi'.
An alternative track from San'a to Tamrah, by way of Sa'dah
and Ibal, is given as Route No. 59. It is a portion of the Hajj
caravan road from Yemen, and has not been traversed, beyond
Khamir (52 miles), by any European. To Bishah, the route lies
mostly in the mountainous districts of Yemen and Asir, but is said
to be practicable for camels and donkeys ; beyond Bishah, the
country becomes undulating and easier, though more sandy, and
the track leads down broad wadis to Tamrah.
Supplies. ater is certainly plentiful to Khamir, and is pre
sumably sufficient for the Hajj caravans to Ibal, and probably
also as far as Bishah. As to fodder and general supplies in this
section, both are ample as long as the track continues in Yemen
country ; beyond^ no definite information is available. In the
ertile oases of Bishah itself, supplies of all kinds are plentiful;
but after that point, except at Dam (170 miles from Bishah) and