'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.' [‎50] (97/905)

50 THARTHAR RIVER AND RUINS OF AL HADHR. [CHAP. III.
place. After a southerly course of about 40 miles, it receives
the Hasnawi, which rises near Asnowar, a place about 15
miles E. by N. of Nisibin; and proceeds from thence towards
the .S.S.W. 1
Imi the™ 48 r ^ e courses these streams have not been followed, but
Sacoras. one of them seems to answer to the Sacoras, or Mygdonius, 2
which is described as being the principal feeder of the Meso-
potamian Khabtir; and the other to the Hermas. 3 The
latter, according to Abu-l-feda, rises behind Nisibin, 4 and
afterwards forms two branches, the western of which falls
into the Khabur, whilst the eastern, on leaving the Hermas
branch, passes through the ruins of A1 Hadhr, in the plain
of Sinjar, and joins the Tigris near Tekrit. 5
Ai U Had 0 h f r. Tlle P lace where this supposed bifurcation takes place is
not known, but we have the authority of Dr. Ross for the
existence of a considerable stream, rather narrow but very
deep, called the Tharthar, to the south-eastward of A1 Hadhr,
which place he twice succeeded in reaching. The ruins are
a mile in diameter, and are inclosed by a circular wall of
very massive construction, with towers at intervals; the whole
is surrounded by a deep ditch, and there are the remains of a
mound, also circular, beyond it. 6
In the centre of the town stands the principal object of
curiosity; a range of buildings inclosed by a strong wall,
square on the plan, and similar in construction to that of the
city; the faces are opposite to the four cardinal points, and
each measures 300 paces in length inside. The buildings
consist of spacious halls and chambers, covered by semicircular
vaults, some of which rise to the height of 60 feet from the
ground; and on the pilasters there are figures in relief, 7 appa
rently Greek or Roman. The whole city is built of a
1 Where Mr. Forbes crossed the stream, it was but two feet deepp. 420,
Vol. IX. Part III., Royal Geographical Journal.
2 Olivier's Travels, p. 344.
8 Which falls into the Khdbur.—MS. of Arabian Geography, translated by
Dr. Sprenger.
4 Abu-l-feda.—MS. translation by Mr. Rassam. 9 Ibid.
Vol. IX. Part III., of the Royal Geographical Journal, p. 467.
7 Ibid., p. 468.