ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Persia, 



is at the N. E. part of the island, where there are a few date-trees, and 

 thereabouts a watering place. 



KARAK. — This island is in latitude 29° 15f N., longitude 50° 27 E., 

 about 12 leagues from Bushire town. It is about 7 miles long, and 1 broad. 

 At the N. E. end is a bay, where there is good anchorage, and near it a 

 strong castle built on the extreme point, which commands the whole 

 anchorage of the bay. 



Trade. — There is very little on this island. The best pilots for 

 Bussorah are procured here. To carry a ship there and back, they generally 

 receive 150 to ICiO rupees, with an addition of 50 more for the trankey that 

 attends, and provisions for five or six people. It is customary to give a bag or 

 two of rice to the Sheik, and one to the pilot's family. During the time 

 the ship is stationary at Bussorah, the pilot receives 10 rupees per month. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — The water of Karak is much better 

 than at Bushire. Firewood is very scarce ; what they have, is brought 

 from the northern coast. Fish are plentiful, which with elates are the principal 

 food of the inhabitants ; for they have no grain but what comes from 

 Bushire, and very few vegetables. Bullocks, sheep, and poultry are to be 

 procured, but at an exorbitant price when a supply is wanted. 



BUSHIRE, oa ABUSCHjEHR, is the principal seaport the Persians 

 have in the Gulph, and is situated about S. S. E. from the bar at Bussorah, 

 70 leagues distance, and about S leagues S. E. from the Island of Karak. 

 The town is in latitude 29° N., longitude BCP 56 E,, and stands on the N. 

 point of a low peninsula, of which Rischar Point, about 4 leagues to the S., 

 forms the other extreme. It stands so very low, that the houses are dis- 

 covered on coming from the sea, much sooner than the land on which the 

 town is built. The situation on one side is near the entrance, and on the S. 

 bank of the river of that name, having a sandy beach between the houses 

 and the river, in some places about 20, in others from 30 to 40 yards in 

 breadth at high water. The tide rises in the river 5 or G feet perpendicular, 

 but not more than 2 or 3 in the roads. Another side of the town is on the 

 banks of the sea, with a sandy beach. The town is surrounded with 

 stone walls, except the part which is within the rivers mouth ; but they 

 are not kept in good repair. There are two gates on the land side, one on 

 each side, facing each of which is a very large brass cannon, the diameter of 

 the bore of which is 1H inches: they were brought from Ormus in 1622, 

 and though they bear the date of 1502, appear as if new. The town is about 

 3 miles in circuit, and of a rectangular form ; the longest sides are those on 

 each sea bank. There is neither castle nor battery in or near the town be- 

 longing to it ; but there are many war galliots, and a number of small 

 merchantmen belonging to those who trade to and from Muscat, Gombroon, 



