'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎27] (70/905)

CHAP. II.] TEKRIT AND THE DURA OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR.
2?
Tekrit stands on tlie right bank, and is remarkable for a Town of
castellated building upwards of 200 feet bigli, with a vaulted Teknt "
staircase leading to the Tigris ; l tlie building is surrounded by
a ditch, which was once filled from the river. A little below
the castle, and also on the same bank, stands the modern town,
which is now reduced to about 600 houses of burnt brick. 2
The ruins cover a considerable space below the southern side
of the town, and form about it a large crescent, extending for
some distance to the north of the citadel. This place takes
its modern name from Tekrit, the daughter of Wayal, sister
of Beckr; and its castle, they say, was built by Sabar, son of
Ardechir. 3
Below Tekrit, the aqueduct, or canal of Is-haki (Khiyat-al-
suk) leaves the Tigris, taking a course southward, and nearly
parallel to the river for some distance ; it afterwards joins the
river near Baghdad, between which place and Tekrit it was
followed at intervals by Dr. Ross. 4 This is the river Al-
Is-haki, which was dug in the days of Al-Mutwakkel by his
general Is-hak, to water a part of Irak. 5
At about nine miles south, 8° east of Tekrit, is the saint's
tomb, called Imam Dur, which Mr. Rich thought to be the
place where Jovian constructed a bridge for the passage of
his army; and which, he adds, might also be the Dura of
Nebuchadnezzar. At about a mile and a half lower down
are visible the remains of a cut, called Nebi Suleiman, which. Canal of
according to tradition, was the work of Solomon ; 6 its course
has since been traced by Dr. Ross, and found to be the bed
of an extensive canal.
This canal, which passed by the eastern side of the ruins
of Sammara, must, from its direction, have crossed the Suther
Adhim stream, coming from Kerkuk; it must also have
crossed the Dokhala canal, as well as, subsequently, the
Diyalah itself; and thus it may have conveyed a large portion
1 Rich's Kurdistdn, Vol. II., p. 141. 2 Ibid.
8 MS. translation of Abu-l-fedd, by Mr. Rassam.
4 Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, Vol. IX. Part III., p. 448.
4 MS. translation of Abu-l-fedd, by Mr. Rassam.
e Rich's Kurdistdn, Vol. II., p. 149.