'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.' [‎28] (71/905)

28 THE NAHRAWAN AND DUJEIL CANALS. [CHAP. II.
the of the waters of this river into those of the Kerkhah. 1 If
this opinion be well founded, some of the difficulties connected
with the ascent of Nearchus, the admiral of Alexander's fleet,
would be removed; and the probability that the Kerkhah was
once increased in this way is strengthened by a belief which pre
vails throughout the country, that the bed of the lower Diyalah,
of its present size at least, is of comparatively recent formation.
At about one mile and a half below the canal commence
the ruins of Eski Baghdad, which join the northern portion
of those of the ancient city of Sammara. 2 The latter was a
celebrated place, not only during the Roman wars, but also in
the time of the Khaliph Motassem, who, in the ninth century,
made it the seat of his government. At about 12 miles below
the supposed work of King Solomon, there is also on the left
bank another canal, called Nahr al Resas ; which takes its
departure at the ruins of Kaim. 3 This is one of the heads
of the famous Nahrawan, which waters Sala and some other
villages/ Its bed may still be traced in a direction parallel
to the Tigris, as far as Kut-el-Amarah, or, according to some,
to the river Kerkhah itself.
Just below Sammara, on the opposite bank, is the bed of the
Dujei'l, or Little Tigris. This cut, according to Abu-l-feda,
went from thence and watered the land near Baghdad. 5 It
was met with in several places during the examinations of
Dr. Ross; but, owing to the neglect so prevalent under
Moslem governments in the present day, the dike, or bund,
at the entrance 6 has fallen into a state of decay ; therefore,'
instead of constituting an abundant supply, the water carried
along this channel only occupies a small part of the ancient
bed, and this to a moderate depth. 7
1 In a paper lately sent to the Geographical Society by Dr. Ross, it is stated
that, according to the accounts of the Arabs, this canal goes to Hawiza.
Richs Kurdistdn, Vol. IL, p. 150.
3 Dr. Ross sMSS.—Journey, 1834, p. 19.
4 Mr. Rassam's MSS. of AM-l-fedd. »
« Lientenant L ynch: Vol. IX. Part III., p. 415. of the Journal of the
Royal Geographical Society.
7 Up to the horses' girths.—See Dr. Ross's Journey, Vol. IX. Part HI.
p. 344, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.