'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.' [‎47] (92/905)

CHAP. III.] DISTANCE FROM BIR TO THE SEA.
47
The bed of tlie river at this place has been ascertained to Heigiitofthe
be 628^ feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea, 1 from above the Bir '
which it is distant 140 miles and 26 chains by our waggon Mediterraneau.
road, or 133 miles in a direct line, to the mouth of the
Orontes; whilst the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , towards which it now
begins to incline a little, is distant 1117 miles; thus giving
the trifling fall of rather more, on an average, than six inches
per mile, 2 from Bir to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , supposing the latter
to be on the same level as the Mediterranean. 3 The general
direction below Bir is a little E. of S., and it winds between
chalk hills of moderate elevation for 39 miles, or 31J S. 27° E.
direct distance, to Kal'at en Nejm. 4
At 14 miles, and again at 9 miles, above this celebrated
Arabian observatory, erected by Almamun, the Euphrates
receives, on its right bank, the Sajur, a considerable tributary,
which comes from the Taurus, and after passing at no great
distance from the northern side of the ruins of Membij, islands formed
separates into five short branches ; thus forming four islands g^ h r e nver
1 By a line of levels begun by Lieutenant Murphy, and completed by Mr.
Thompson, from the port of Suwei'dlyeh to the river Euphrates.
2 The Danube, according to George Rennie, Esq., F.R.S., has, between Ulm
and Passau, an average slope of two or three feet per mile. From Passau to
Pesth the slope is about six inches per mile.
3 The Red Sea is 36 feet higher than the Mediterranean ; and it is probable
that the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is rather less.
4 Castle of the Star.—Mr. Rassam.