'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.' [‎29] (72/905)

CHAP. II.] KADISIYEH AND THE MEDIAN WALL. 29
This cut takes a S.E. direction through cultivated lands, Effects of
where its effects, even in its present diminished state, are most Imgatlon -
striking in fertilizing the grounds and fruit gardens surround
ing the villages; this is particularly the case near the pros
perous village of Sume'ichah, situated about 17 miles S.E.
from the commencement of the canal. Here irrigation has
changed a tract which was previously barren, into one
possessing the fertility ascribed to this region, by He
rodotus, whose account has too often been placed amongst
the legends of fiction by those who make the produce of
ordinary countries a standard for estimating that of Meso
potamia.
Immediately after the ancient derivation of the Dujeil, the
main stream sweeps round so as to take an eastern course,
passing a little way southward of El Sanam, 1 or Nabga, -and
also of the extensive Sassanian ruins of Kadisiyeh, which were Ruins of
once washed on the opposite side by that which now appears ? adlsiyeh-
to be a secondary branch or feeder of the Nahrawan. 2
Opposite the ruins of Kadisiyeh there is still visible an
extensive dry bed, lying in a S.E. direction from the right
bank of the main river, which runs towards the east as before.
This ancient bed was met by Dr. Ross in several places under
the name of Shatt-Aidha, and was traced into the Tigris at shatt-Aidha.
about 17 miles N. by W. of Baghdad, having in its course
cut off the bend made by the present river to the eastward.
A belief has generally prevailed that the Tigris once flowed
in this channel; but the space between the river and the said
bed being described by Lieutenant Lynch as having been an
island in former times, 3 it can scarcely be doubted that this
was merely a derivation, either natural or artificial, from the
main stream.
Near the commencement of the Dujeil is one extremity of
the celebrated Median wall, which proceeds from thence
S S.W. J W. towards the Euphrates, a few miles westward
1 The Idol.—Rich's Kurdistan, Vol. II., p. 152.
2 Dr. Ross's MSS.—Journey, 1834, p. 11.
3 The place on which you now stand was once an island, and the Tigris
formerly divided at the end of the Sidd.—Lieutenant Lynch: Vol. IX. Part III.,
p 474, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.