'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.' [‎61] (108/905)

CHAP. III.] THE KARUN AND FLOODING OF THE EUPHRATES. 61
The modern town of Basrali is built on both sides of a Town of
creek, or canal, and in its present decayed state, as compared Ba?rah '
with former times, it still contains about 6000 houses, which
commence nearly at the edge of the main stream, and on its
right bank. Below the city this majestic river sweeps a
little more to the eastward; its width -is about 700 yards;
its ordinary depth 30 feet; and it forms three large islands
between this place and the small town of Mohammarah; that
is, within a distance of 22^ miles by water, or 20^ miles direct, The Kar.m
S. 70° E. Here the Karun enters it, after a long course from shatter Arab,
the Koh-i-zerd, through Shuster, Ahwaz, and other places. 1
After this great accession to its waters, the Shatt el Arab
inclines a little more towards the south; during the remainder
of its course it passes many large villages, and almost con
tinuous belts of date-groves; and at length it reaches the sea,
which, at the bar, is 40 miles from Mohammarah. Between
this last place and the sea its average width is 1200 yards,
and its ordinary depth 30 feet.
The permanent flooding of the Euphrates is caused by the Periodical
melting of the snow in the mountains along the upper part E^phrate^ the
of its course. This takes place about the beginning of March,
and it increases gradually up to the time of barley harvest,
or about the last days in May, when it is usually at its
greatest height. At Port William the depth was found to
be increased by 13J feet; but, lower down, this varied, as m^y
be supposed, in different places, according to the width of the
stream. The river continues high, and its course very rapid,
for 30 or 40 days; but afterwards there is a daily decrease,
which becomes very small and regular towards the autumn.
From the middle of September to the middle of October
the river is at the lowest; and it even seems to be perfectly
stationary, until the rains commence, towards the end of
October, when there is a perceptible but variable increase,
which continues till the frost checks it in December, and
causes it again to fall. From this time until the beginning
of March it is subject to slight alternations of decrease and
increase. The reader will find these variations placed before
1 See Chapter VIII. on Khuzistan.