'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.' [‎46] (91/905)

46
EUM KAL'AH AND BIR.
[CHAP. III.
Rum Kai'ah. After passing the Zeugma of Sumeisat, the river winds
through a succession of swelling hills, having a pasture country
on each side, with partial cultivation around the villages,
which are scattered here and there along the banks, within
an extent of 51 miles by the stream; and 40 miles in a direct
line, S. 69° W., to Rum Kal'ah. The castellated building
which gives its name to the spot, stands on a high hill of
limestone formation, overhanging the right bank, and having
its base washed by an abundant stream, which enters the
Euphrates from the west, through a very rocky valley.
Along the tributary, and on the right side of the hill
rising from the main trunk, stands the town, which may
contain about 900 miserable houses, covering the sides of
the hills encircling that on which the castle is so judi
ciously placed; to command and protect one of the ancient
Zeugmas.
Immediately below the town the river changes its direction,
and inclines rather eastward of south for a distance of 15
miles, through a more cultivated country, when it approaches
the ruined castle of Graum; which is but 80J miles from the
sea at Bay as. The distance from Graum is 10 miles E.S.E.
to ancient Birtha, the Bir, or Bireh-jik of the Turks; which
place is 26| miles by the river, and 16 miles directly S. 28° E.
from Rum Kal'ah.
Castle of Bir. The position of the castle of Bir resembles that of. the one
just noticed, except that it rises from the left bank, so as to
command the passage of the river on the opposite side. The
town contains about 1700 houses, which cover the valley,
the bank of the river; and also the side of the hill northward]
as well as eastward of the castle. It is surrounded by a
substantial wall, which, like the castle, is partly of Turkish
architecture, and partly of that of the middle ages ; it is also
in a most convenient situation, on the great line from Aleppo
to Urfah and Diyar Bekr.
Bir is one of the most frequented of all the passages into
Mesopotamia, and about 16 large passage-boats are kept at
this place, in a state of repair, for the use of the caravans,
which occasionally number 5000 camels.