The system for the spelling of Arabic names in the text follows in general that of the Royal Geographical Society. This system consists, in brief, in three rules: (1) words made familiar by long usage remain unchanged; (2) vowels are pronounced as in Italian and consonants as in English; (3) no redundant letters are written and all those written are pronounced. We send these chapters on their errand, and hope that especially the later ones may reach the hearts of the Student Volunteers for foreign missions to whom they are dedicated; we pray also that the number of those who love the Arabs and labor for their enlightenment and redemption may increase. S. M. ZWEMER. _Bahrein, Arabia._ Table of Contents PAGE I THE NEGLECTED PENINSULA 17 Arabia the centre of Moslem world—Its boundaries—The coast—Physical characteristics—Climate—Water-supply—Geology—The Wadys—Mountains—Deserts. II THE GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS OF ARABIA 25 Natural divisions—Provinces—Political geography—Important flora and fauna—Population. III THE HOLY LAND OF ARABIA—MECCA 30 Its boundaries—Sacredness—European travellers—Jiddah—Its bombardment—The pilgrimage—Mecca—Its location—Water-supply—Governor—The Kaaba—The Black Stone—Zemzem—Duty of pilgrimage—The pilgrims—The day of sacrifice—The certificate—Character of Meccans—Temporary marriages—Superstitions—Mishkash—Schools of Mecca—Course of study. IV THE HOLY LAND OF ARABIA—MEDINA 45 Taif—Heathen idols—The road to Medina—Sanctity of Medina—The prophet’s mosque—Was Mohammed buried there?—The five tombs—Prayer for Fatima—Living on the pilgrims—Character of people—Yanbo—Importance of Mecca to Islam. V ADEN AND AN INLAND JOURNEY 53 The gateways to Arabia Felix—Aden—Its ancient history—Fortifications—Tanks—Divisions—Population—Journey inland—Wahat—The vegetation of Yemen—A Turkish custom-house—The storm in the wady—Taiz—The story of the books. VI YEMEN: THE SWITZERLAND OF ARABIA 62 The Jews of Yemen—From Taiz to Ibb and Yerim—Beauty of scenery—Climate—Ali’s footprint—Damar—Sana—Commerce and manufactures—Roda—From Sana to the coast—The terraces of Yemen—Suk-el Khamis—Menakha—Bajil—Hodeidah. VII THE UNEXPLORED REGIONS OF HADRAMAUT 72 Von Wrede’s travels—Halévy—Mr. and Mrs. Bent’s journeys—Makalla—Incense-trade—The castles and palaces—Shibam—Shehr and its ruler—Hadramaut and the Indian archipelago. VIII MUSCAT AND THE COASTLANDS OF OMAN 78