'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.' [‎106] (155/905)

106
CLIMATE OF UPPER MESOPOTAMIA. [CHAP. VI.
their Sard-abs, 1 as it once did the luxurious monarchs into
the mountains of Media. This region is well adapted for
the growth of cotton, sugar, indigo, and many of the fruits
of a warm climate, especially dates, which, in the opinion of
most judges, excel those of Tafilah, and are decidedly finer
than any produced along the Nile. This superiority, how
ever, applies to the dates of the lower Euphrates only; for in
the neighbourhood of A nah the tree begins to have a sickly
appearance, and the inferiority of the fruit is very perceptible
to the north of that parallel of latitude.
Temperature The next, or intermediate region, lies between 'Anah and
of the central, or ag f ar as 350 latitude. This, like the preced
ing, is almost entirely a dead level; and, from its soil, or more
probably from the character of its inhabitants, it was con
sidered as a part of Arabia. There is, however, here and
there, chiefly along the river, some cultivation, intermixed
with good pasture-grounds, the latter affording a sufficiency
of herbage, except in summer, when the soil is burnt up by
the sun. At this season the heat is very great, especially
from mid-day till evening, but the nights are not oppressive.
Lying near the borders of a mountainous country, the winters
here are severe, and towards the northern extremity of the
district they are attended by an abundance of rain, snow, and
frost.
About the Khabur, the date tree almost ceases to bear;
but oranges, grapes, pears, apples, with other fruits and grain,
arrive at perfection,
and of the The third and last district comprehends, in part, the
northern parte, northern slopes of the Mesopotamian branch of the Taurus.
The eastern side, or the ancient Mygdonia, contains the vol
canic ranges of Sinjar, Mardin, and Diyar Bekr. It enjoys
a moderate degree of heat in summer, but the temperature is
very low during the winter months. The western tract, the
Osroene of the ancients, extends from the eastern side of the
Khabur, and includes Rakkah, Haran, O'rfah, and Sumeisat,
1 Vaulted subterraneous apartments, with a high square tower (Badgir),
acting like a wind-sail. The temperature is about 10° lower than that of the
coolest rooms above ground.