MR HORNEMAN'S TRAVELS* 
421 
to a bee-hive, and the general aspect, the crowded 
population, and the confused hum which issued 
from its precincts, all tended to justify the com- 
parison. 
Siwah is situated in a well watered valley of 
about fifty miles in circuit, hemmed in on every 
side by barren rocks. Browne gives a much smaller 
extent, but probably referred only to the imme- 
diate neighbourhood of the town. The soil is a 
sandy loam, producing corn, oil, and vegetables ; 
but dates form the chief product and wealth of 
the district. Baskets of dates are the standard 
by which all commodities are valued. Almost 
every Siwahan possesses a date garden, well enclos- 
ed, and carefully watered. Mr Horneman was un- 
able to form any precise estimate of the population. 
The government was originally vested in twelve 
shieks, on whom the executive government de- 
volved in rotation ; but twenty other wealthy citi- 
zens having forced their way into power, it has be- 
come a very turbulent aristocracy. Matters of im- 
portance are debated in the council of the chiefs, 
which is held close to the town wall ; and when 
they are unable to come to an amicable decision, 
recourse is speedily had to arms. Our traveller 
gives no favourable report of the inhabitants. They 
were forward and insolent; and, to place their goods 
in security, the travellers required much stricter 
precautions than they had hitherto been accustom- 1 
