'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.' [‎40] (85/905)

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CHAPTER III.
general course of the euphrates.
The two Sources of the Euphrates in Armenia.—Chasms at Kemakh and
Pash-tash.—The Euphrates joined by the Murdd Chdi.—Town and Castle
of Bir.—Difference of level between the Euphrates at Bir and the Medi
terranean.—The deserted towns of Zelibi.—The KMbiir enters the
Euphrates.—Course of the River to Werdi.—Bend of the Euphrates near
Haditha.—The Canal of Sakldwiyah joins the Euphrates and Tigris.—
State of the Euphrates at Hilldh.—Town of Lamlum.—Mouth of the
Euphrates.
The river now about to be described rises at no great distance
from the shores of the Euxine, and, in its course to the
Indian ocean, almost skirts those of the Mediterranean;
under such circumstances as these, we cannot be surprised to
find that the Euphrates at one time formed the principal
link connecting Europe commercially with the East. Its
historical celebrity has excited in its favour an interest
superior to that which has been felt for any other river;
and it may be reasonably expected that when its advantages
shall be fully known and duly appreciated, it will rise to a
high degree of political and commercial importance.
In a range of more than 1780 miles from its eastern source,
this river may be said to unite three great and important seas;
which, without it, would be destitute of any water communi
cation with each other, while the varied productions of the
intervening territory would, in a great measure, be lost to the
rest of the world.
This classic stream, which, having been the scene of our
labours, will form the main subject of these volumes, has two
great sources in the Armenian mountains, and it bears the
name of Frat 1 in its whole course from the most northern
1 For at—Forath, in the Hebrew Perath, or Phrath, meaning to fructify,
or fertilize.