1835.] Report on the Island of Socotra. 143 



of these are of a width and depth that in Arabia would almost entitle them 

 to the appellation of rivers. They all originate near the granite moun- 

 tains, and rolling with a considerable descent down the rocky ravines, they 

 generally unite several with each other near their extremity, and after- 

 wards wind their way more slowly through the valleys into the sea. Those 

 on the western part of the island have a rapid descent, and are in the N. 

 E. monsoon dried up, at but a short distance from their source, while 

 those on the eastern side continue throughout the year to discharge their 

 waters into the ocean. 



I could learn but little concerning the influence of the S. W. monsoon 

 here from the natives. They describe the rain as being frequent and 

 heavy, and the showers in July and August nearly incessant. No bugga- 

 lows at this season touch at their island, nor do any of their own boats 

 venture to sea. The trees, wherever the wind has reached them in their 

 inclined and beset position, bear good evidence to its power. Thunder- 

 storms are frequent at the setting in of the monsoon, and accidents from 

 the lightning are described to be of frequent occurrence. 



Natural Productions. 

 Among the few natural productions which are found on this island, that 

 which holds the first rank is the aloe, " Aloe spicata, and Aloe Socotrina," 

 called in the language of the island Tayof, and by the Arabs Subal, for 

 this plant has been held famous from the earliest periods and it is con- 

 sequently too well known to need any description. They are usually 

 found on the sides and summits of the limestone mountains, at an eleva- 

 tion of from 500 to 1000 feet from the level of the plains. The plant 

 appears to thrive only in parched and barren places. Its leaves are pluck- 

 ed at any period, and after being placed in a skin, the juice is suffered to 

 exude from them. In this state they are brought in to Tamarida and 

 Colesseah, and there disposed of for dates. From hence it is mostly ship- 

 ped off to Muscat, where its price varies very considerably. In 1833, the best 

 sold for one rupee the Bengal seile (seer ?), while of that which was more in- 

 different, five seiles might be procured for the dollar. The Socotrina aloes, 

 when pure, are the finest in the world, but owing to the careless manner in 

 which they are gathered and packed, they contract many impurities, and 

 their value is proportionably deteriorated. Formerly every part of the 

 island producing the aloe was farmed out to different individuals, and the 

 whole produce at a fixed valuation was monopolized by the Sultan, who 

 then resided on the island. The boundaries, which consisted of loose 

 stone walls, and had been carried with immense labour over hill and dale, 

 still remain under the present unsettled government ; the descendants of 

 the owners to whom they were allotted have either withdrawn their claims, 

 or are forgotten. At present any one collects it who chooses to take the trou- 

 ble, and not a grain is levied on account of the Sultan, as they lodge but 

 little in ware-houses and merely collect it when the arrival of a ship or 

 buggalow creates a demand. The quantity produced has been erroneously 

 supposed to be much less than it is in reality ; but on the western side of 



