Gulph of Persia.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



85 



The shells are bought on the spot, and sent to different parts of Persia, 

 from whence they are sent up the Red Sea, and from thence to Grand Cairo 

 and Constantinople. Many are carried to India, and from thence to China, 

 where they are manufactured into a great variety of neat and useful articles. 



The pearls produced here are not so much esteemed in Europe as those 

 of Ceylon, having a yellowish hue; but the natives of India prefer them. 

 They say they always retain their original colour: whereas the white will 

 in a few years become darker, from the heat of the weather, and that of 

 the person wearing them. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — Plenty of cattle and fine lar^e sheep 

 are here procurable, at Iiigher prices than at other ports in the Gulph. 

 Rice is scarce and dear. There are numerous springs of excellent water in 

 the interior of Bahreen, but at too great distance from Manama for easy 

 supply to shipping, The only water used on Arad is brought up in skins, 

 by the pearl-divers, from the bottom of the sea, in 3 fathoms, where there 

 is a fine spring of good fresh water, with the top of a jar fitted lo the 

 mouth of it, through which the water gushes. From this mode of procuring 

 it, water can seldom be obtained quite fresh. 



CATIF, or EL KATIF. — The town is situated in latitude about 

 80° 36f N., longitude 50° 12* E., at the W. extremity of a bay of the 

 same name, which extends a considerable distance inland, having in it the 

 small island and town of Karud or Tarud. It is said to be a good harbour, 

 and a place of some trade, but is seldom visited by Europeans. 



GRANE. — This town and harbour are situated in latitude 2fT 24* N., 

 longitude about 47° 48' E., about IS leagues from the entrance of Bussorah 

 River. The town, or village, is on the S. side of a small river, and here 

 the Company's cruisers generally wait the arrival of the overland dispatches 

 from Europe. The haven, which stretches far inland, is considered secure 

 in most winds ; but its shores are lined with reefs. The anchorage is W. 

 of the village, in 5, G, or 7 fathoms. 



BUSSORAH, or BASRA. — This town is situated in a plain, about 

 three miles from the great river of Arabia, from which a creek runs into 

 the city, navigable at high water for vessels of 50 or 00 tons, and is in 

 latitude 30° 30 N., and longitude 4T 40 E., taken at the factory : the dif- 

 ference of latitude between the town and the bar at the entrance of the 

 river, is about 34 miles. It is about 100 miles from the Persian Gulph, 

 into which that river empties itself, and about 90 miles from Korna, the 

 extreme point of Mesopotamia, where the rivers Tigris and Euphrates 

 unite. The river is about half a mile broad from Bussorah Creek to the 

 Persian shore. 



