'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [135v] (275/862)
The record is made up of 1 volume (430 folios). It was created in 1944. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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l88 CLIMATE, VEGETATION, AND FAUNA
The steppe communities in the north are largely dominated by one
of the mugweeds, Artemisia Herba-alba, a shrubby woolly member of
the daisy family, which prefers the deep grey steppe soil and com
pletely avoids saline or rocky soils. Haloxylon articulatum is often one
of its associates, and other perennial members of the goosefoot family
may also be present. A perennial constituent of this community, pro
minent in spring, is a grass, Poa sinaica, whose aerial parts shrivel
and disappear in the summer, the plant propagating itself by small
bulb-like structures arising from the thickened bases of the lowermost
leaves. This community has been seen beside the Ramadi-Rutba
road where the vegetation may cover up to a quarter of the surface of
the ground.
Salt-marsh Vegetation. In depressions and valleys where drainage
is poor, the surface remains damp for long periods, so that the degree
of salinity is intensified and salt-marshes or sabkhas are formed.
Under extreme conditions a glistening salty crust, resembling hoar
frost, is produced, which is completely toxic to plant life. But gener
ally the vegetation of a salt-marsh is fairly rich. Conditions are
favourable for maritime species, members of the goosefoot family
being very common. The following members of the family have been
recorded from sabkhas in the Syrian desert: Arthrocnemum glaucum,
a small bushy perennial shrub with curious jointed succulent
stems, rudimentary leaves, and dense greenish flower spikes; Salsola
tetrandra, another perennial shrub, whitish and hairy with tortuous
branches and minute leaves; Atriplex halimus, a silvery white bush
up to 3 feet high with woody spreading branches; and Suaeda
monoica, a showy shrub up to 16 feet high, with yellowish branches,
fleshy leaves, and with small crimson berry-like fruits. Other con
stituents of salt-marshes include the sea rush, Juncus maritimus\ a
grass, Aeluropus repens ; and Nitraria retusa, a tall shrub with fleshy
leaves belonging to the Zygophyllaceae. These plants, because of
their succulence, are much prized as fodder by the nomads, by whom
they are known as hamdh. In addition, several species of tamarisk
(Tamarix) are frequently found in salty areas. These are graceful
evergreen trees or shrubs with slender erect branches, small green
scale-like leaves, and long spikes of whitish or pinkish flowers.
Spring Vegetation. The advent of rain brings forth its spate of
fleeting annuals and bulbous perennials. Green shoots appear be
tween the grey xerophytic bushes and in a few weeks bright blooms
enliven the scene. Rainfall, however, in some desert localities is so
uncertain that, although initial germination may start, the seedlings
About this item
- Content
The volume is titled Iraq and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (London: Naval Intelligence Division, 1944).
The report contains preliminary remarks by the Director of Naval Intelligence, 1942 (John Henry Godfrey) and the Director of Naval Intelligence, 1944 (E G N Rushbrook).
There then follows thirteen chapters:
- I. Introduction.
- II. Geology and description of the land.
- III. Coasts of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
- IV. Climate, vegetation and fauna.
- V. History.
- VI. People.
- VII. Distribution of the people.
- VIII. Administration and public life.
- IX. Public health and disease.
- X. Irrigation, agriculture, and minor industry.
- XI. Currency, finance, commerce and oil.
- XII. Ports and inland towns.
- XIII. Communications.
- Appendices: stratigraphy; meteorological tables; ten historical sites, chronological table; weights and measures; authorship, authorities and maps.
There follows a section listing 105 text figures and maps and a section listing over 200 illustrations.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (430 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is divided into a number of chapters, sub-sections whose arrangement is detailed in the contents section (folios 7-13) which includes a section on text-figures and maps, and list of illustrations. The volume consists of front matter pages (xviii), and then a further 682 pages in the original pagination system.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 430; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/15/64
- Title
- 'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:253r, 254r, 255r:429v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence