Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/348

138 One peculiarity of these sources throughout the Hasa is, that they are all hot, some to such a degree as to pain the hand if suddenly immersed in them, others of a more moderate warmth, but all of them are considerably above the ordinary and atmospheric temperature. The country is indeed said to be seldom visited by earthquakes of any importance, but in a minor degree they are not uncommon; and one mentioned to me as having occurred within the memory of man was described as having been rather serious, enough to cause clefts and fissures in the walls and houses of Hofhoof, of which I myself was witness. So far as Arab inaccuracy in dates permitted me to ascertain, it seems to have been coincident in epoch with the great earthquake which in 1836 caused so much destruction throughout Syria and Palestine. Nor is the fact surprising, since the province of Hasa forms the southern extremity of a continuous valley, reaching in a north-westerly direction up to Djezirat-Omar above Mosool, and even to Diarbekir, while its basin extends from the Anti-Lebanon and the mountains of Adjeloun in Palestine, to the frontiers of Persia, and comprises a district well known for past and present indications of subterraneous volcanic agency. This is the valley of the Euphrates and Tigris, opening out from the mountains of Armenia and Curdistan down to the Persian Gulf, on whose shores and in whose hollow lies the province of Hasa.

Among the hot sources of this region one requires special mention. It is the sulphurous spring named ’Eyn-Nejem, or “Fountain of the Star,” south-east of Hofhouf, and once the resort of numerous invalids, especially of those afflicted by cutaneous disease or leprosy (common enough here); cures of paralysis are also recorded, but I suspect these last to have been rather synchronous than in the order of cause and effect. But within the last five years, the old Wahhabite autocrat, Faisul, caused the source to be entirely choked up with stones, and the little cupola which surmounted it to be destroyed; because, said he, the inhabitants of Hasa placed their confidence rather in the healing properties of the water than in God alone.

Vegetation is of course very abundant here, and assumes a semitropical character. Cotton, rice, and indigo are grown in this province, but in small quantities; it would be easy to extend their cultivation. A main source of revenue is the date-tree, which in these lands attains its ne plus ultra of abundant and excellent fruit. No dates throughout Arabia equal or even come near to those of Hasa, especially the species surnamed the Khalas (i. e. “quintessence); they are cultivated principally in the southern districts, and form an important article of exportation.

Much manufacture is also carried on, both in weaving and in metal-work, in gold, silver, copper, brass, and even in iron where melting is not required. The skill of the inhabitants in weaving