"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٧‎٨] (٤٣٢/١٨٧)

178
LAND EOUTES
Miles from
Baghdad
authority from which they are taken gives the time
between Shura and Hammam 'Ali (see m. 217|) as 7 hrs.
Another authority supports the distance given below
making it 13 m. between Shura and Hamniam Ali.
A nullah on the W. 30 ft. deep, but easily crossed at various
points, skirts the track.
Splendid grass in April. The ground here is under the
Dd'irat es-Samyeli.
Kuined village 2 m. to the W. The country is gently
undulating and easy, with good grazing.
The track descends from a plateau, with a stony and rocky
patch, for 100 yds. The ruins of Nimrud (see
III E, m. 159^) are 4 m. distant on the E. bank.
The road winds through rocky stony hills, passing a ruined
town.
It skirts some low hills 200 yds. to the W., and then runs
along the Tigris, crossing a stream in a ravine 30 yds.
wide.
Hammam 'Ali. (For description, see III E, m. 167^).
Good grazing.
Village among the hills about f m. to the W.
There is cultivation along the level.
The distances N. of Hammam Ali are uncertain: the
authority from which they are taken gives the time
between Hammam 'Ali and Mosul as 6^ hrs. Other
estimates make the time between these two places 4| or
5 hrs. Another authority makes the distance between
Hammam Ali and Mosul 16 m.
The track is good, running along the river bank for If m.
All this plain is under the
Lezadeh (Lazzaqeh ? see Route III E, m. 174-1) village and
khan. The track undulates over stony ground.
Small village to the E. The track runs along the bottom
of an open valley 500 yds. wide, rising, after ^ m., over
stony downs, with some rocky ravines running towards
the river.
An alternative easy track keeps close to the river.
Village on the E., with mud and brick fort commanding the
track as it ascends the hills from Mosul. It is 60 by
60 yds., with walls 20 ft. high, and two towers. The fort
is apparently the Qasr of Seramun mentioned in
III E, m. 180^.