1835.] on the South Coast of Arabia. 535 



Having discovered and copied those very perfect inscriptions of Hasan 

 Ghordb, we were at once struck with the resemblance they bore to these 

 now before us, and on a more minute comparison, the letters will be found 

 generally to correspond, although there are a few here, which do not 

 present themselves in the former. As it would appear, that the style of 

 writing is now extinct, at least entirely so in this part of Arabia, it 

 becomes a pleasing subject of speculation by what persons they could 

 have been executed. The characters certainly bear a stronger 

 assimilation to the Ethiopia than to any other known in the present 

 day ; and consulting the history of Arabia, we find, that prior to the 

 Persian conquest of Yemen, under Noitshirvan, the whole of that 

 fertile province was under the sway of the Abyssinians, many of whom 

 having become enamoured of its beauties, permanently settled here. I 

 think such are fair grounds for assuming that these are the remains 

 of that people, especially as we know them to have been an enterpris- 

 ing commercial nation, with talent and qualifications, which fitted 

 them for such design as Hasan Ghordb, from the execution of which 

 the native inhabitants would have shrunk with despair. For a solution 

 of these difficult questions, however, it will be more becoming in us to 

 preserve silence, and leave them to the disposal of persons better 

 qualified by their peculiar studies and more extended information on 

 such points. I may here mention the coincidence of the name 

 Hasan Ghordb, and Bait Ghordb, the fort and house of Ghordb, 

 which latter is one of the most populous and powerful tribes in 

 the neighbourhood of Hammam. On questioning one of the tribes 

 concerning the origin of his title, he told us, his ancestors came from 

 Hasan Ghordb, a place, however, only known to him by hearsay. 

 There are now many intermediate tribes between the two places, so that 

 should the information be correct, we may infer that this is merely a 

 branch of the family drawn here by the comparatively fertile nature 

 of the soil over that about Hasan Ghordb. 



With respect to the general features of the country about Hammam, it 

 wears a most unpromising aspect, there being to all appearance nothing 

 but barren hills ; but on entering the ravines and valleys, the scene be- 

 comes suddenly changed, and the eye is once more gratified by the visible 

 marks of cultivation and the industry of man. In each corner of the 

 valley may be seen a thriving date grove, and sometimes pretty large 

 portions of grounds, covered with Taam, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, 

 and a variety of melons and pompions, one species of which is called 

 the " Bortugal," for what reason it would not appear very evident. 

 The Nebek and cocoanut thrive well. After searching about for fur- 

 ther curiosities, we left Hammam about noon, and instead of 

 3 z 2 



