'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.' [‎31] (74/905)

CHAP. II.j THE DOKHALA CANAL AND BAGHDAD.
31
which runs to the S.S.E., as well as that of the Nahr Batt. The Nahr Batt.
The latter is cut on the western side in order to irrigate the
country lying S.S.W.; after which the remainder of its
waters appear to have been conveyed into the Nahrawan, east
ward of Sammara. 1 Towards its confluence the river is but
15 yards wide, and 20 inches deep, 2 and at one time of the
year the water is still lower; in fact, Lieutenant Lynch ascer
tained from the natives, that it is dry during from three to
five months. 3
After continuing an easterly course for six miles below the
Adhim, the Tigris bends S.S.E. for six more, to the sandy
shoals near Dokhala; 4 just above which village the Khalis
enters the Tigris. This canal is cut from the Diyalah
through the district of Khalis, from whence it takes its name,
and which contains 62 villages. 5
After a sweep to the westward, a little below Dokhala, the
river takes a tolerably straight course for 39 miles by the
stream, or 20 miles S. by W. direct distance, from that village
to the spot where the minarets of the city of the Khaliphs rise
from both banks amidst extensive clusters of splendid date-
trees.
This remarkable city, the classic scene of the Thousand and city of
One Nights, is unequally divided by the river, two-thirds being Bagh(lad -
on the left bank, and the remainder on the right, or Mesopo-
tamian side; the two divisions are connected by a bridge of
boats. The town is fortified by a high brick parapet wall,
flanked at intervals with bastioned towers, and surrounded
by a ditch; the citadel, which is a respectable work, is situated
at the north-western extremity. The bazaar, built by Daud
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , is one of the finest in the East, and is well stocked
with home and foreign manufactures. Some of the mosques
are also striking, but the rest of the buildings show, as usual
1 MSS. of Dr. Ross, Journey in 1834. 2 Ibid.
3 Vol. IX. Part III., p. 472, of the Geographical Journal.
4 An accident having occurred to the rudder of the Euphrates steamer, and
the waters being also very low, Major Estcourt returned to Baghdad in January,
1831, without attempting to ascend higher; and there laid up the vessel, in
consequence of orders from England.
9 Rich's Kurdistdn, Vol. II., p. 156.