in short ranges towards the southern shore: their outline is mostly smooth and rounded, excepting on the side nearest to the sea, where it in general presents a steep wall. The whole of the western and the greater part of the eastern portion of the island is composed of hills similar in their ap pearance, elevation, and structure to this range.

As the whole Island of Socotra may be considered as one mass of primitive rock, we cannot expect to find it distinguished by any remarkable fertility of soil. I yet find it so varied, that it is difficult to speak of it in any general terms. The summit and sides of the greater part of the mountains, composing the eastern portion of the island, present in some places the smooth surface of the rock entirely denuded of soil; in others the rain has worn the surface into hollows, and other irregularities, in which there is lodged a shallow deposit of light earth, from whence a few shrubs spring forth. On the sea face of the hills, on the northern side of the island, and amidst the sides and elevated regions in the vicinity of the granite peaks, we find a dark rich vegetable mould, which teems with the most luxuriant vegetation. In the plain about Tamarida, some portions near Cádháop, and several beautiful valleys and plains which I crossed on my return from Ras Mamse, the soil consists of a reddish colored earth, which nourishes at certain seasons an abundant supply of grass, and appears well adapted for the cultivation of grain, fruits, or vegetables. In those valleys through which the streams flow, there are now only extensive groves of date trees; but the existence of a broad border of beautiful turf, occasional enclosures of Dekhan, and (though but rarely) a plantation of indigo or cotton, indicate no want of richness or fertility of the soil.

Climate. be, ora

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Though this island is situated but a short distance from the continents of Arabia and Africa, and is in fact on the same parallel with their most parched and burning plains, yet from both monsoons blowing over a vast expanse of water, it enjoys a climate remarkably temperate and cool: a register of the thermometer which I kept during our stay, from the 12th of January to the 14th March, exhibits the mean daily temperature at 70°, while several springs at but a slight elevation from the sea, into which the thermometer was immersed, indicated the mean annual tem perature at 73°. On the hills it is of course found to be much cooler. Until within a few days previous to our quitting the island, the monsoon blew very fresh, and even at times swept through the valleys with a violence I have rarely seen equalled. The sky was usually overcast with clouds, and while other parts of Asia and Africa, under the same parallel, had yet some months to elapse before their termination of the dry seasons, Socotra enjoyed frequent and copious rains; for these she is principally indebted at this season to her granite mountains: their lofty peaks obstruct the clouds which strike against their sides: either depositing their aqueous particles near their summit, or precipitating them in plentiful showers on the surrounding country. It is these also which contribute to nourish the nume rous mountain streams which intersect several parts of the island. Several

of these are of a width and depth that in Arabia would almost entitle them to the appellation of rivers. They all originate near the granite mountains, and rolling with a considerable descent down the rocky ravines, they generally unite several with each other near their extremity, and afterwards wind their way more slowly through the valleys into the sea. Those on the western part of the island have a rapid descent, and are in the N. E. monsoon dried up, at but a short distance from their source, while those on the eastern side continue throughout the year to discharge their waters into the ocean.

I could learn but little concerning the influence of the S. W. monsoon here from the natives. They describe the rain as being frequent and heavy, and the showers in July and August nearly incessant. No buggalows at this season touch at their island, nor do any of their own boats venture to sea. The trees, wherever the wind has reached them in their inclined and beset position, bear good evidence to its power. Thunderstorms are frequent at the setting in of the monsoon, and accidents from the lightning are described to be of frequent occurrence.

Natural Productions.

Among the few natural productions which are found on this island, that which holds the first rank is the aloe, "Aloe spicata, and Aloe Socotrina," called in the language of the island Tayof, and by the Arabs Subal, for this plant has been held famous from the earliest periods and it is consequently too well known to need any description. They are usually found on the sides and summits of the limestone mountains, at an elevation of from 500 to 1000 feet from the level of the plains. The plant appears to thrive only in parched and barren places. Its leaves are plucked at any period, and after being placed in a skin, the juice is suffered to exude from them. In this state they are brought in to Tamarida and Colesseah, and there disposed of for dates. From hence it is mostly shipped off to Muscat, where its price varies very considerably. In 1833, the best sold for one rupee the Bengal seile (seer ?), while of that which was more indifferent, five seiles might be procured for the dollar. The Socotrina aloes, when pure, are the finest in the world, but owing to the careless manner in which they are gathered and packed, they contract many impurities, and their value is proportionably deteriorated. Formerly every part of the island producing the aloe was farmed out to different individuals, and the whole produce at a fixed valuation was monopolized by the Sultán, who then resided on the island. The boundaries, which consisted of loose stone walls, and had been carried with immense labour over hill and dale, still remain under the present unsettled government; the descendants of the owners to whom they were allotted have either withdrawn their claims, or are forgotten. At present any one collects it who chooses to take the trouble, and not a grain is levied on account of the Sultan, as they lodge but littlesin ware houses and merely collect it when the arrival of a ship or buggalow creates a demand. The quantity produced has been erroneously supposed to be much less than it is in reality; but on the western side of

the island the hills for an extent of several miles are now so thickly studded with it, that it is not likely even at any future period that the whole of that which might be, will be collected. The quantity reported within the last few years has varied very much; in 1833 it amounted to 83 skins, or about two tons. Next in importance to the aloe comes the Dragon's blood tree, Pterocarpus Draco, the gum from which, Sanguis Draconis, is also collected by the Bedouins at all seasons. As this gum is known to be produced by several trees, and the species on which it is found in Socotra may not therefore be known in Europe, I shall give a short account of it. ༤ .༠༤. Like the aloe it is usually met with on the limestone hills, rarely at a less elevation than 800, and sometimes as much as 2000, feet above the level of the sea; but it is never found on the plains. The trunk is usually about 12 inches in diameter, and its height varies from 10 to 12 feet; the branches are numerous, but short and thickly interwoven with each other. The leaves are of a coriaceous structure, and about 12 inches in length; they are of a sword-like form, pointed at the extremity, and somewhat ex tended at the base, where they are sessile and somewhat resemble those of the pine-apple. In this part they are connected with the branch of the tree, and radiating from it an indefinite number, they assume a fan-like shape. These together form the upper part of the tree, and by the variety in their shape and distribution, give rise to most fantastic appearances. We were not sufficiently fortunate to obtain any specimen of the flower or fruit, but Botanists describe it as belonging to the 17th class of Linnæus, and to the natural order Leguminosa.

The gum exudes spontaneously from the tree, and it does not appear usual, on any occasion, to make an incision for that purpose. Two kinds were shown to me, of which that which is of a dark crimson color, called "Moselle," is esteemed the best; its price at Muscat is from 6 to 8 rupees the seile. Dragon's-blood is called by the Arabs Dum Khoheil, and Edah by the Socotrians. I was frequentlyassured, that not more than a tenth of the quantity which might be procured, was ever collected by y the Bedouins; but this, as with the aloes, appears to be owing to there being no regular demand. From a tree, called in the language of the island, Amara, they procure à light-colored gum, which is slightly odoriferous, but is much inferior to that called Oliban, obtained on the Arabian coast. Sketches and descriptions were taken of the other varieties of trees on the island, but as they do not appear available for building, or any useful purpose, and are merely remarkable for being indigenous to the island, I have not considered it necessary to swell this paper with any remarks on them. A large collection of plants was also made, and the Botanist on the granite peaks would yet meet with a rich harvest. On the summit of these mountains the Bedouins collect a grey-colored moss, called Shennah, which is used by the Arab females to dye their faces of a yellow color. It adheres firmly to the granite spires, the whole surface of which is covered with it; they thus receive a coloring which is not their own, but which is not however far removed from it. As agriculture is almost wholly unknown on the island of Socotra, the only

grain which is cultivated on any part of the island is called dekhan; this is preferred to any other, because it requires less attendance, and if watered, will produce a crop at any season: provided there is water in its vicinity, they do not appear to be at all solicitous as to the quality of the soil, or the spots they select to serve as fields. They merely remove the loose stones, and with them build up a well, to prevent the inroads of the cattle; the soil is then somewhat loosened with a pointed stick, (for they have no articles of husbandry,) and after being divided by low narrow embankments into small squares, the seed is thrown on them much in the same way as it is in England. In the absence of rain these squares are filled with water twice a day, until the grain has nearly attained its full growth, when once is considered sufficient. It is now tied in the upper part into portions about the size of sheaves, in which state it is allowed to remain until it is ripened and is cut down. When milk is abundant, and they can obtain dates, dekhan is rarely partaken of ; but when the supply of these is but scanty, it forms the chief article of their food. It adds not a little to the value which they place on this grain, that they are enabled to keep it uninjured for a long period. No dekhan is grown on the west end of the island; but on the east the enclosures in some of the valleys are very numerous. It is however to their date groves, next to their flocks, that the inhabitants look for their principal means of support. With the exception of a small one at Colesseah, and another on the west side of the granite peaks, these are also confined to the eastern portion of the island. Here the borders of the numerous streams which intersect it are lined for miles with them: the foliage is somewhat more scanty than that of those of Arabia, but I observe no other peculiarity in the tree. Some are fecundated at the latter end of December, and others as late as the early part of March; they must therefore secure to themselves a supply of fresh dates for two months. Those which are cultivated amongst the granite peaks produce the first crop. There are however some groves on the sandy belt at the southern side of this island, which I have been repeatedly assured bear two crops during the year; the one in May, after the N. E., and another in October, after the S. W. monsoon ; the fruit is not held in much estimation. From the other groves, though a large quantity is collected, yet it is not sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants, and a considerable supply is annually drawn from Muscat.

In all the other valleys which may have contained water, or through which water may have passed, there are an astonishing number of Nibet trees (Lotus nebea, well known in Egypt and Syria); the fruit is about the size of a cherry, of rather a pleasant flavour, and is produced at all seasons. The Bedouins collect it, and after bruising the berry between two stones until it forms a paste, they mix with it a little ghee, and devour the whole with much relish. Their camels are exceedingly fond of the young branches of this tree, and from its bark the Bedouins extract a tan for their hides. The tamarind occurs frequently among the hills; as well as the wild fig; from the fruit of the former the natives decoct a cooling and refreshing

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drink, and the umbrageous foliage of the latter affords to the Bedouins a most grateful shade during the heat of the day. The Bedouins also eat the inner bark of a tree so called, which is found growing near the sea shore. In the vicinity of Tamarida, some melons, beans, and a little tobacco, sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants, are cultivated; on the granite hills some few orange trees, a species of wild grape, and a kind of wild pear(?) are also found, but no other fruits or vegetables of any description is produced or known. I have already noticed the fertility of the soil in some parts of the island, and the extraordinary advantages it possesses in its numerous streams: both are utterly disregarded by the natives. The whole of the land in the vicinity of the granite peaks is in the highest degree susceptible of cultivation. Grain, fruits, or vegetables to any extent might be reared in the plain near Tamarida, and amongt the rich valleys in the direction of Ras Mamse. The face of the hills on the northern side might be terraced and cultivated in the same manner, as is customary in Yemen and Palestine. In a word, was it not for the prevailing ignorance and sloth which exists among its inhabitants, Socotra in a few seasons might be rendered as celebrated for the extent and variety of its productions as it is now remarkable for its total want of them.

The only animals

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Natural History.

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ཤ་ ་་

we saw in Socotra were camels, asses, oxen, sheep, goats, and civet cats. The camels were as large as those of Syria, and were more remarkable for strength than for speed. As they are continually ascending and descending the mountains by bad passes, they become nearly as sure-footed as mules; but being constantly fed on succulent herbs, they do not, if this food is taken from them, display the same endurance of thirst as those of Arabia; when confined to the parched shrubs which grow on the low land, they require to be watered daily. Camels are principally used either by the traders while seeking ghee among the mountains; or by the inhabitants, for the purpose of bringing dates or fire-wood from the interior; the whole number on the Island does not exceed two hundred. For those I took with me I paid six dollars the month; the price for which they are sold is usually from 20 to 30 dollars. Cows are very numerous in the vicinity of Tamarida, on the granite range of mountains, and in many of the eastern parts of the island. They are usually of the same color as that which distinguishes the Alderney breed in England, though their size does not far exceed the Welch breed. The hump which marks those of India and Arabia is not observed here. They find an abundance of pasture, are sleek and fat, and their flesh of a most superior quality. The natives prize them for the sake of their milk, with which they make the ghee, that is in so much estimation on the coasts of Arabia and Africa. They are not therefore solicitous to part with them, and the price they demand compared with that for which they are purchased on the Arabian coast, is proportionally high ; 10 dollars was the sum we paid for those we procured. Their flesh was pronounced equalto our finest English oxen. Should Socotra, as is contemplated, become a station for our steamers, an agent would be enabled with little