'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.' [‎53] (100/905)

CHAP. III.] THE GREAT BEND ABOVE HADISAH.
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as 350 yards, with, an ordinary deptli of 18 feet, and it has a Rocks at
current of four miles per hour during the flood season, when * ara a -"
it forms, at intervals, 26 islands of various sizes, some wooded
and some bare. At the last of these, viz. Karablah, the
river is obstructed by a ledge of rocks, which constitutes
what may be considered as the greatest difficulty experienced
by boats throughout the navigation from Blr to Basrah.
Opposite this place the walled town of Rawa crowns the
summit of the hills rising from the left bank; whilst a little
lower, the houses of 'Anah along the right bank open to the
view, amidst thick date-groves. A string of islands lie nearly islands near
in mid-stream, opposite the town; and still lower, but on the
left bank, are the ruins of the ancient Anatho.
Below this picturesque spot the windings are less frequent
than in the portion just described; and the course of the
river is through a succession of partially wooded hills, chiefly
of chalk formation, affording good pasture. Villages occa
sionally appear, with cultivated grounds about them; and the
numerous remains of ancient aqueducts, covering both banks,
sufficiently show, what we learn from history, namely, that
this portion of the country was at one time thickly inhabited
by a civilized and flourishing people. The distance from
'Anah to the island of Hadisah is 49^ miles by the stream,
and 28^ miles S. 48° E. in a direct line. The town contains
about 400 houses, and it is built on the ruins of the ancient
Hadith. The river at this place has an average width of Breadth and
300 yards, with a depth of 18 feet, and a current of four Hadith. near
knots per hour in the season of floods, when it forms 30
islands, some of which are wooded, and a few, such as Tilbus,
have on them the remains of ancient buildings. Above
Hadisah, and at about two-thirds of the distance from Anah,
the river, being turned by high hills, makes a very remark-
able sweep in the opposite direction, or N.E., not unlike theoret tend^
Thames at the Isle of Dogs, though on a larger sSale ; for
the Euphrates, at the spot called Hawaji el Khawwaslik, has
gained only 2J miles to the S.E., although its course along
the bend is 16| miles. The distance from Hadisah to the
well known town and bituminous fountains of the ancient