an island of Asia, about two leagues from the main land, almost at the mouth of the Persian gulph. It is about six leagues in circuit; but is quite barren, and has not a drop of fresh water. They catch excellent oysters about the island; and it yields plenty of fine white salt; also a kind of shining black sand, which is used for dusting writings, and is transported in considerable quantity to Europe. This island was for some time in possession of the Portuguese, when there was a very rich and populous town upon it, where all the trade of the Indies was managed; but that has long been in ruins, and there is now nothing inhabited but the fort.