'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.' [‎415] (496/905)

CHAP. XVIIL]
RIVER DARADAX.
415
town. Being distant 12 hours S.S.E. from Aleppo, Colonel
Leake is of opinion that Belad Chan Azra may be the an
cient Androna; and it is probable that the ruins mentioned
by the Arabs to Dr. Heifer, which are six hours farther on
towards Palmyra, are those of Seriane.
Six miles south-westward of Aleppo is the village of Ne- Ruins o f
rab; about 16 miles farther, is that of Maloula; and again,
Mashook.
about it miles, also in a south-easterly direction, are the
ruins of Ashuck Mashook, which contain a church, and con
stitute the remains of a considerable town, 1 situated at a
little distance from a second salt lake, in which a river no
less remarkable than the Koweik terminates. This stream
has its source at a place called Dabb, or Dhahab, near the
foot of the hills to the southward of Munbedj : from thence
the Nahr-el-Dhahab, or Golden River, probably the Daradax
ofXenophon, flows southward, passing by Taidif, and near the
fountain of El Bab; after which its course tends a little way
westward of Abu Ja'ber. It now inclines S.S.W., and after
flowing about 40 miles in this direction, or nearly parallel to
the Koweik, its waters are lost in those of lake Jabul (more Lake Sabak-
properly Sabakhah, i. e. brackish) a little beyond the village
of that name: both the village and the lake are situated in the
valley of salt; and the latter having received three short
streams near its western extremity, extends from thence east
ward for about 12 miles, with a breadth varying from about
three to five. Like El Melak, it is celebrated for the quan
tity of salt produced, especially after wet seasons; when the
salt is collected, it is transported on animals to Jabul, where it
is dried, winnowed, and separated into heaps, according to its
different qualities.
Lake Sabakhah is mid-way between Balis and Kinnisrin, Supposed
and also between Balis and Aleppo, by the southern route; Belesis,
and somewhere on the banks of the river flowing into it,
possibly near the ruins at the fountain of El Bab or Taidif,
may have been the extensive hunting -grounds enclosing the
palace of the Satrap Belesis, which was destroyed by Cyrus
1 Observations on the Passage to India, &c., by Colonel Capper, pp. 60, 61.,
London, 1784.