Minerals.That this country was once, to a certain extent at any rate, rich in gold, is evident from the numerous shafts and traces of former workings that are seen.
Game.The following species of game are found in the Atbai:—
- Ariel: scarce on Wadi Di-ib, but south of Darur, plentiful.
- Gazelle (Isabella and Dorcas).
- Ibex: on hills adjoining littoral.
- Cony (native Halidob): hills Red Sea to Murrat.
- Wild ass: Onib to Di-ib.
- Wild sheep: rare, in hills from Aswan to Abu Hamed, and along the Nile from Murrat to Akasha. Well known to exist at J. Rafit and East of Gabgaba.
- Klipspringer and Dig-Dig: hills adjoining littoral south of Bowarti.
- Cheetah and leopard: rare in hills near littoral.
- Hyena and wild dog „ „ „
- Also bluerock pigeon and sand, rock, and night-grouse on all hills.
Atbai—South of Latitude 20° 0′.
Drainage.From the northern portion of the Atbai the general line of the watershed between the Nile and the Red Sea is south-eastward as far as the hills enclosing the upper part of the Wadi Amur.
The hills lying to the north of the Wadi Amur in its upper part form a portion of the watershed.
North of these hills are a series of large khors which drain first north and north-east. Lower down these khors are practically unknown, but are said to curve eastward and reach the sea north of Cape Elba. The largest of these khors are Mahaleit, Dirab, and Haieit. In their upper portions they are broad level valleys covered with a considerable amount of coarse grass. The scrub in them is low and scattered.
South of Wadi Amur the watershed lies north and south in about E. long. 37° 20′, until the great Khor Arab basin is reached.
Of the wadis draining westward, south of lat. 20°, Khor Arab has by far the largest drainage area. It includes in its lower portion not only Khor Arab proper, but also Khors Erheib and Thamiam and Barameyu. It may be said to drain the whole triangle of country, whose angular points are Kokreb, Erkowit, and Oi.
Between Khor Arab and Wadi Amur the drainage is taken by Khors Habob and Laiameb, while Khors Misrar and Aderot drain the country between Khor Arab and the Tobrar range.