Moco, or Mocha; by some supposed to be the Mufa or Muza of Ptolemy, is a port and town on the Red sea, of considerable trade; contains about 10,000 inhabitants, Jews, Armenians, and Mohammedans; and it gives name to a kingdom extending along the most southern coast of Arabia; of which that part which lies next the sea is a dry barren desert, in some places 10 or 12 leagues over; but bounded by mountains, which being well watered, enjoy an almost perpetual spring; and besides coffee, the peculiar produce of this country, yields corn, grapes, myrrh, frankincense, caffia, balm, gums of several sorts, mangos, dates, pomegranates, &c. The weather here is so hot and sultry in summer, especially when the south wind blows, that it would be insupportable, if it was not mitigated by the cool breezes that generally blow from the mountains on the north, or the Red and Arabic seas on the west and east. The heat in winter is equal to that of our warmest summers; and it is very seldom that either clouds or rain are seen. The city of Mocha is now the emporium for the trade of all India to the Red sea. The trade was removed hither from Aden, in consequence of the prophecy of a thick, much revered by the people, who foretold that it would soon become a place of extensive commerce notwithstanding its disadvantageous situation. The buildings here are lofty, and tolerably regular, having a pleasant aspect from Mecca. The steeples of several mosques are very high, presenting themselves to view at a great distance. Their markets are well stored with beef, mutton, lamb, kid, camels, and antelopes flesh, common fowls, Guinea hens, partridges, and pigeons. The sea affords plenty of fish, but not savoury; which some think proceeds from the extreme saltness of the water and the nature of their aliment. The markets are also stocked with fruit, such as grapes, peaches, apricots, quinces, and nectarines; although neither shrub nor tree is to be seen near the town, except a few date trees. Frequently no rain falls here in two or three years, and seldom more than a shower or two in a year; but in the mountains, at the distance of about 20 miles from Mocha, the earth is watered with a gentle shower every morning, which makes the valleys fertile in corn and the fruits natural to the climate. The Arab inhabitants, though remarkably grave and superstitious, are said to be extremely covetous and hypocritical; robbing, thieving, and committing piracy, without the least scruple or remorse. The English and Dutch companies have handsome houses here, and carry on a great trade in coffee, olibanum, myrrh, aloes, liquid storax, white and yellow arenic, gum arabic, mummy, balm of Gilead, and other drugs. One inconvenience, however, they sustain from the violence and exactions of the Arabian princes; but the king's customs are easy, being fixed at three per cent. to Europeans. Of the coins at Mocha, the most current is the camafiee, which rises and falls in value at the banker's discretion: they are from 50 to 80 for a current dollar, which is but an imaginary species, being always reckoned one and a half per cent. lower than Spanish dollars.