'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.' [‎25] (68/905)

CHAP. II.]
LESSER ZAB, OR CAPRUS.
25
or 14 hours, or about 32 miles below the Zab, and near the
ruins of Kal'ah Shirkat, theUr of the Persians, a river, Called The Asas Amir,
the Asas Amir (which had not been noticed by any traveller
previous to the descent of Lieutenant Ormsby in 1832), enters
the Tigris on the western side, after a long course from the
Sinjar hills. From hence, after a course of about 28 miles
in the general direction of S.E., and skirting the Hamrin hills,
over a succession of small rapids, the Lesser Zab, 1 or Caprus,
enters the Tigris with a deep stream 25 feet broad, 2 having
pursued a course from Altun Kopri in a south-western direc
tion, or parallel to the greater Zab. The main branch rises The
about 20 miles S.W. of the northern extremity of lake Uru- Lesser Za ^
miyah; then, after a course to the S.E. of about 30 miles, it
turns abruptly S.W., and about 20 miles onwards, in the latter
direction, it receives five different affluents from the valleys of
the Kurdistan mountains. 3
The trunk thus formed by these different streams continues
in the same direction as before to Altun Kopri, or the golden
bridge. The small town bearing that name contains about
400 houses; it is built on a peninsula, which becomes an
island during the flood season, and contains, in addition to
the dwelling-houses, several grain stores and wharfs, at which
last the rafts, descending thus far, are discharged, and others
Skins to cross or descend the Tigris.
1 Or Zdh el Soghaer. 2 Ormsby's MSS.
3 Major Rawlinson's Map: Vol. X. Part I., Royal Geographical Journal.
VOL. I. E