146 Report bn the Island of Socotra. [March, 



drink, and the umbrageous foliage of the latter affords to the Bedouins a 

 most grateful shade during the heat of the day. The Bedouins also eat the 

 inner bark of a tree so called, which is found growing near the sea shore. 

 In the vicinity of Tamarida, some melons, beans, and a littletobacco, suffici- 

 ent for the consumption of the inhabitants, are cultivated; on the granite hills 

 some few orange trees, a speciesof wild grape, and a kind of wild pear (?) are 

 also found, but no other fruits or vegetables of any description is produced 

 or known. I have already noticed the fertility of the soil in some parts of 

 the island, and the extraordinary advantages it possesses in its numerous 

 streams : both are utterly disregarded by the natives. The whole of theland 

 in the vicinity of the granite peaks is in the highest degree susceptible of 

 cultivation. Grain, fruits, or vegetables to any extent might be reared in the 

 plain near Tamarida, and amongt the rich valleys in the direction of Ras 

 Mamse. The face of the hills on the northern side might be terraced and 

 cultivated in the same manner, as is customary in Yemen and Palestine. In 

 a word, was it not for the prevailing ignorance and sloth which exists among 

 its inhabitants, Socotra in a few seasons might be rendered as celebrated for 

 the extent and variety of its productions as it is now remarkable for its 

 total want of them. 



Natural History. 

 The only animals we saw in Socotra were camels, asses, oxen, sheep, 

 goats, and civet cats. The camels were as large as those of Syria, and were 

 more remarkable for strength than for speed. As they are continually 

 ascending and descending the mountains by bad passes, they become nearly 

 as sure-footed as mules; but being constantly fed on succulent herbs, they do 

 not, if this food is taken from them, display the same endurance of thirst as 

 those of Arabia; when confined to the parched shrubs which grow on the 

 ]ow land, they require to be watered daily. Camels are principally used either 

 by the traders while seeking ghee among the mountains; or by the inhabi- 

 tants, for the purpose of bringing dates or fire-wood from the interior ; the 

 whole number on the Island does not exceed two hundred. For those I 

 took with me I paid six dollars the month; the price for whicli theyaresold 

 is usually from 20 to 30 dollars. Cows are very numei'ous in the vicinity 

 of Tamarida, on the granite range of mountains, and in many of the eastern 

 parts of the island. They are usually of the same color as that which 

 distinguishes the Alderney breed in England, though their size does not far 

 exceed the Welch breed. The hump which marks those of India and Ara- 

 bia is not observed here. They find an abundance of pasture, are sleek and 

 fat, and their flesh of a most superior quality. The natives prize them for 

 the sake of their milk, with which they make the ghee, that is in so much 

 estimation on the coasts of Arabia and Africa. They are not therefore 

 solicitous to part with them, and the price they demand compared with that 

 for which they are purchased on the Arabian coast, is proportionally high ; 

 10 dollars was the sum we paid for those we procured. Their flesh was pro- 

 nounced equal to our finest English oxen. Should Socotra, as is contemplated, 

 become a station for our steamers, an agent would be enabled with little 



