"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٧‎٢] (٤٣٢/١٨١)

172
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Baglidad
47
49
51
52
55
57
62
64
66
Route runs along bank of small water-channel, 10 ft. wide
by 5 ft. deep: the water in it was 3 ft. wide and 2 ft
deep in Feb. 1903.
The old bed of the Tigris is visible to r. for about 4 m.
Country intersected by dry canal-beds, with banks varvin?
in height from 5 ft. to 20 ft.
Ruins of Harbeh to r.
Beled village, with date-groves and some vineyards (the
property of the Da'irates-SamyeJi) lies 3-4 m, between
ENE. and NE. of this point. Railway station. Water from
wells. There are fords in the low-water season across the
Tigris at Darawlsh Island and Baheirdeh Island, in the
neighbourhood of Beled (4 and 3 m. from the village
respectively). These fords have pebbly bottoms.
The soil is sandy clay : the track is good except after rain.
Harbeh Canal, from Tigris, consisting of three channels
each about 15 ft. wide, 10 ft. deep, the banks 15 ft. high!
Only one channel had water in it in Feb. 1903.
The canal is crossed by a brick bridge (Jisr Harbeh) of solid
construction. In 1903 it was reported to have four arches,
and to be 60 yds. long, carrying a roadway 27 ft. wide
Beyond the Harbeh bridge is an open plain much inter
sected by dry canal beds, with pebbly waste and acacia
scrub.
In this neighbourhood apparently T.L. leaves route, and
runs NNW. to cross the river near El-Hawiyeh ferry,
whence it goes NW. to Samarra.
Peshatiyeh canal (45 ft. wide, banks 25 ft. above bed).
Water in Feb. 1903 6 ft. wide, 3 ft. deep, crossed by
a brick bridge about 10 ft. wide.
For about 4 m. the country is covered with old and dry canal
beds, with banks varying from 5 to 40 ft. in height.
Some of them are crossed by the route.
Dry canal reported to r., 30 ft. deep and 60 ft. wide ; sides
very steep.
Mouth of Dujeil Canal, a short distance to r. Henceforward
up to Samarra boat-bridge the route runs close to the
river: the railway is apparently close to it on the 1., and
near the railway seems to be the bed of the dry Ishaki
Canal. Istablat station is 13 m. by rail from Samarra.
Istablat: zaptieh post in the immediate neighbourhood.
The country is a pebbly desert without cultivation; a
little scrub acacia in the hollows.