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Remarks upon the Maculla Hot Spring in Arabia, together 

 with some Notes regarding the Red Sea Islands. By W. 

 HiBBERT, M. D., Assistant-Surgeon of 2d or Queen's Royal 

 Regiment.* 



The few observations treated of in the present communica- 

 tion, were made during a voyage to India by the overland 

 route, and at a period when I was considerably pushed for time, 

 — a circumstance I consider it necessary to mention, as it will in 

 some measure account for the very superficial view I could 

 only take of the country, my stay being then limited to a few 

 days. 



The impression which instantly strikes an observer upon 

 entering the Bay, which is rather a superior one, is the utter 

 barrenness and nakedness, devoid, one might say, of every 

 thing interesting, and moreover so sterile, that there abso- 

 lutely does not exist sufficient herbage for a few sheep, those, 

 as well as other domestic animals, being invariably fed upon 

 animal food, and chiefly salt fish, a diet which, we well know, 

 renders them by no means acceptable to an English palate. 

 The effect of such treatment also, appears to affect their 

 growth considerably, as few sheep in this quarter are known to 

 exceed eight pounds in weight. Proceeding, however, a few 

 miles inland, some cocoa-nut trees slightly vary the scene, with 

 also a few ruined huts which present themselves, and some 

 wretched watch-towers on the neighbouring hills. 



From this slight deviation, I shall now proceed to the more 

 direct object of the communication, by giving a hasty sketch 

 of the rocks in the neighbourhood, as also the properties of 

 the accompanying water, which was taken, while warm, from the 

 Maculla hot spring, and sealed immediately afterwards. 



The hills have rather a peaked form, and a structure chiefly 

 amygdaloidal, with but scanty herbage, and this consisting prin- 

 cipal! v of the following : Senna, Cactus, Euphorbium, Indigo, 



* Communicated by Sir James M'^Grigor, Bart., M. D. Director-General 

 Army Medical Department, &c. &c. 



