"ملف ‎٣/ ٤ كُتُب إلخ: الطرق في عُمان" [و‎‎١‎٥] (٧٢/٢٩)

C/i-
HULIAIDAH. 37 miles. The route passes along the shore of the
stony
creek, and then crosses a rigge about 50 ft. high,running
N.W.to S.E.,at its middle.{ A more circuitous route crosses
the ridge near the east end.).The route then enters a
shallow valley, Wadi Falaij, the bed of which is formed of
rounded masses of limestone,scattered with a few stunted
acacia trees.In time of heavy rain, which is said to come
but once in 3 years, floods render the passage of the valley
impossible.At about 4 m. the valley is joined from the west
by a ravinewith conspicuous yellow sandstone cliffs; 2 or 3
m. up this ravine is the village of Mishlaq; 16 donkeys,
200 sheep and goats.At about 6 m. the route leaves the bed
of the walley to ascend by a steep zig-zag path to the pass
of Bab ar Rufsur; there is a tow/Xer in a state of decay,
and a gate through which all traffic has to pass for toll
purposes. Hear by there are some cave dwellings; 40 donkeys,
200 sheep and goats.Here the valley is only a few hundred
yards broad but further on it widens out to 2 or# 3 miles.
Between this and the end of the valley at about 19 miles
there are several small streams, and occasional date groves.
A plain is then entered. Humaidah is a small, walled village,
containing about 200 houses and a small fort ( in 1836 ).
Water is obtained from running streams. The country, both
within and without the walls, is well cultivated.
♦
RUKSAT. 22 miles. The route crosses a plain where the is,
alternately, either very loose drift sand or a whitish
indurated clay. At about 2 m. the village of A1 Kamil is
passed; it is like Humaidah. A short distance outside A1
Kamil the Wadi Haimah is entered, and at about 10 m. some
sand clowns are traversed.The sand has been prevented from
overwhelmingthe country by growths of desert bushes. The
wadi is shallow, and contains stunted bushes hereX and
there. There is water.