No. IX.

Topographical Notices of the Valley of Mekka and its Mountains; extracted from the History of Azraky, showing the names assigned to every part.

[It may be here remarked, that the Bedouins of the present day continue to bestow on the smallest hill, projecting rock, or little plain, a distinct and particular name; which circumstance renders the history of Arabia often obscure, as the names have, in the course of ages, sometimes changed.]

THE different mountains forming the southern chain of the valley of Mekka are:—Djebel Fádeh, on the lower part of Djebel Kobeys, nearest to the town—El Khandame, likewise part of Djebel Kobeys—Djebel el Abyadh, called among the Pagan Arabs Mestebzera, belonging also to Djebel Kobeys—Mozazem—Korn Meskale, lower ridge of Shab Aamer—Djebel Benhán, ibid.—Djebel Yakyán, on the side of Shab Aamer—Djebel el Aaredj, near the latter—Djebel el Motabekh, or Shab Aamer; so called because the Toba kings of Yemen, when they invaded Mekka, established here their kitchen— Shab Abou Dobb—Shab e’ Szafa, or Djebel Ráha, Shab Beni Kenáne—Shab el Khor—Shab Athmen.

On the northern side are:—El Hazoura; here was formerly the market of Mekka—El Djethme—Zogág el Nár—Beit el Ezlám—Djebel Zerzera, in the Djehelye called El Káym—Djebel Omar, in the Djehelye called Da Aasyr— Djebel el Adkhar, [El Adkhar is a shrub or plant, mixed by the Mekkans with mortar in the construction of their houses. El Aadhad a thorny tree, common in Arabia.] in the time of the Djehelye called El Mozhebát, or El Aadhad—Djebel el Hazna–Shab Arny—Thenyet Keda Batn Zy Towa—Djebel el Mokta—Fah, a valley beyond the Djidda gate—El Momdera—El Moghesh, from whence was cut the white marble used in the mosque—El Herrowra— Istár—Mokbaret el Noszára, the burial-ground of the Christians—Djebel el Beroud—Thenyet el Beydha—El Hashás—Da el Medowar—Djebel Moslim—Wády Zy Towa—Thenyet Om el Harth—Djebel Aby el Keyt—Fedj—Shab Ashras—Shab el Motalleb—Zát Khalilyn—Djebel Kabsh—Djebel Rahhá—El Bagheybagha—Djebel Keyd—El Ark—Zát el Hantal—El Akla—Shab el Irnye—El Alká—Shab el Leben —Melhet el Ghoraba—Melhet el Herouth—Kaber el Abd.

On the lower side of Mekka are:—Adjyád, or Djyad—Ras el Insán, between the Djebel Kobeys and Adjyád—Shab el Khatem, near Adjyád—Djebel Khalife— Djebel Oráb—Djebel Omar—Ghadaf—El Mokba—El Lahdje—El Kadfade—Zát el Lahá—Zou Merah—Es Selfeyn—El Dokhádekh—Zou el Shedyd—Zát e’ Selym—Adhat el Nabt, so called from some Nabateans who resided there, and were sent by Mawya Ibn Aly Sofyán to make mortar at Mekka—Om Kerdan.

On the north side of the Mala are—Djebel Deylamy—Djebel Sheyb—Djebel Habeshy— Shab el Mokbera—Abou Dedjáne—Djebel el Lyám—El Ghoráb—Shab el Akhnes, also called El Khowaredj, or El Gheyshoum—El Káad.

On the road towards Mekka are:—El Mofdjer, or El Khoder—Shab Howa—Er Rebáb-Zou el Aráke—El Ambara, in the Djehelye called Semyra—E’ Seder.

On the road towards Djebel Thor, southward of Mekka, are:—Zát el Lakhob—Zát Ardjá—El Kaflye—Thor—and El Bána.