D HAL AC. m 
Frittilaria, of which specimens were sent on board, and also a 
small knotty root of a species of grass of an aromatic flavour, which 
is eaten hy the natives. We were obliged to wait till twelve, when 
Captain Court took the meridian altitude, and also a set of bear- 
ings. This is a more convenient place for a vessel to water at than 
Nokhara,as the water is near the shore, and it is well marked by the 
doom-trees. At the wells was a small flock of sheep, ten or twelve 
in number. The date trees seemed not to have thriven since we were 
here, yet the soil is far better than at Mocha : a flight of small birds, 
not unlike averdavats, came and settled among their branches; and 
two vultures, of different species, that had fled, like ourselves, for 
shelter from the wind and sun, remained stationary under their 
shade. The number of goats that we this day met with is worthy 
of observation, considering that there was scarcely a blade of grass 
to be seen ; but the mimosa, that braves the most burning heat, 
seems to afford sufficient nourishment to these, as well as to the 
camels that roam at large about the island. The asses at length 
arrived, and were more steady than usual ; but the ride was un- 
pleasant from the heat of the sun, and the force of the wind. 
" After passing by the salt marsh, we stopped a few minutes, and 
endeavoured to procure milk or water, at a place where I had for- 
merly obtained both, but in vain. We went up to the building where 
I had before been requested not to go, and found that it was only a 
shelter for their kids. On our arrival at Dhalac-el-Kibeer, we ex- 
perienced a most welcome reception from the inhabitants. My friend 
the priest, who was acting as Dola when I w^as here with Mr. Max- 
field, now presented to me the real Dola, a venerable old man, who 
had then been confined by indisposition. I was glad to see that they 
