'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎137] (172/450)

CH. XVIII.] WHIRLPOOL OF KHABATA.
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wood. Tel Geloos, a tepeh or mount, was just
behind us on the left bank. We soon after came to
an encampment of Tai Arabs, of the Shemamik or
Diab division, who were come out to pasture with
the Sheikh of Shemamik, Ali'l Hassan, whose large
encampment was stretched along the left bank of tlie
river. Our navigation to-day was in some parts
very confused and intricate, from the quantity of
islands and passages. We stopped for an hour to
breakfast on the left bank, which continued the same
tine, verdant, level, open country I noticed before,
and was covered with a profusion of daisies and wild
flowers.
About noon we came to a boiling current and
whirlpool, called Khabata, formed by large stones
beneath; perhaps it may be building, though the
natives say it is not. Just before reaching the whirl
pool we passed on the left bank three mounts, called
Tulool Agger, near which was an encampment of
Arabs of the Albu Hossein and Abu Doula tribes, who
are always here. Near their tents was a little jungle.
The river was so very rapid that we were unable
to land at Toprak Kalaa, where we arrived at a
quarter after twelve. It is -a mount of earth sur
rounded at the foot by a ruined wall, the whole
elevated on a platform of ruins.
siVf.
Heaps of rubbish were scattered about, in which