I have tried in my map of Polo's Geography
to realise what seems to have been his idea of the Arabian coast.
NOTE 2. - These ventilators are a kind of masonry windsail, known as
Bad-gir, or "wind-catchers," and in general use over Oman, Kerman, the
province of Baghdad, Mekran, and Sind. A large and elaborate example, from
Hommaire de Hell's work on Persia, is given in the cut above. Very
particular accounts of these ventilators will be found in P. della Valle,
and in the embassy of Don Garcias de Silva Figueroa. (Della Val. II.
333-335; Figueroa, Fr. Trans. 1667, p. 38; Ramus. I. 293 v.; Macd.
Kinneir, p. 69.) A somewhat different arrangement for the same purpose is
in use in Cairo, and gives a very peculiar character to the city when seen
from a moderate height.
["The structures [at Gombroon] are all plain atop, only Ventoso's, or
Funnels, for to let in the Air, the only thing requisite to living in this
fiery Furnace with any comfort; wherefore no House is left without this
contrivance; which shews gracefully at a distance on Board Ship, and makes
the Town appear delightful enough to Beholders, giving at once a pleasing
Spectacle to Strangers, and kind Refreshment to the Inhabitants; for they
are not only elegantly Adorned without, but conveniently Adapted for every
Apartment to receive the cool Wind within." (John Fryer, Nine Years'
Travels, Lond., 1698, p. 222.)]
NOTE 3.
