146 ANCIENT KINGS OF ARABIA. 



from which several small streamlets issue, are 

 clothed with the tamarisk, the wild-fig, the oleander, 

 and the caper-plant, which sometimes hang down 

 from the cUflFs and crevices in beautiful festoons, or 

 grow about the path with a luxuriance that almost 

 obstructs the passage. Near the entrance of the 

 pass a bold arch is thro^vn across it at a great height. 

 Whether this was the fragment of an aqueduct, or 

 part of a road formerly connecting the opposite cliffs, 

 the travellers had no opportunity of examining ; but 

 its appearance as they passed under it, was terrific ; 

 hanging over their heads between two rugged masses, 

 apparently inaccessible. Without changing much 

 its general direction, this natural defile presents so 

 many windings in its course, that the eye sometimes 

 camiot penetrate beyond a few paces forward, and 

 is often puzzled to distinguish in what direction the 

 passage will open. For nearly two miles its sides 

 continue to increase in height as the path descends. 

 The solitude is disturbed by the incessant screaming 

 of eagles, hawks, owls, and ravens, soaring above in 

 considerable numbers ; apparently amazed at stran- 

 gers invading their lonely habitation. At every step 

 the scenery discovers new and more remarkable fea- 

 tures ; a stronger light begins to break through the 

 sombre perspective ; until at' length the ruins of the 

 city burst on the view of the astonished traveller in 

 their full grandeur ; shut in on every side by barren 

 craggy precipices, from which numerous recesses 

 and narrow valleys branch out in all directions, end- 

 ing in a sort of cul-de-sac, without any outlet. 



It was doubtless the impregnable nature of the 

 place that rendered it so celebrated as a commercial 

 depot ; for while it admitted of easy access to beasts 

 of burden, it might defy the attacks of robbers or 

 enemies, however formidable. Though well cho- 

 sen in point of security, the position of the town 

 was subject to many inconveniences. The summer 

 heats must have been excessive ; as the bare elevated 



