'Field notes. Mesopotamia' [‎13r] (30/230)

numerous irrigation canals; the country is often under water
except for small raised banks b -,tween the plantations. The belt
or land near the river is exceedingly fertile and produces dates,
vegetables and grain. This b dt extends from half-a-mile to
2 miles from the river bank ; behind is waste country or swamp.
Largo herds of cattle roam along the, banks of the river.
✓ On the ebb the water is fr )sh and fit for drinking except in
the autumn ; then the river is low and slightly brackish. Ten
miles above Fao it is always fresh at low wat r.
A landing anywhere near Fao is difficult, as the soil is
soft alluvial mud. (See also page 109.)
Considered as a possible site for a railway terminus, Fao,
which lies inside the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-al-’Arab, has
all the disadvantages and none of the commercial advantages of
Basrah.
The land on the eastern bank as far as Muhammareh is
known as ’Abbadan island, being separated from the mainland
by the Bahmanshir river, which runs from the Karun river at
Muhammareh into the Gulf east of the Shatt-al- Arab.
Fao to Kabda Point.— Kabda Point is the long rounded point
on the west bank opposite to and about 2J miles above bhaliau
Point on the chart. Previous to reaching this, Ma amir village is
passed on the western bank, 7 miles above Fao, and further up
Ad Dorah ; on the eastern bank a boat-creek runs off opposite k ao
leading to the Bahmanshir, and above this is the large date grove
of Qasabah. Shoal water extends from the eastern bank around
Kabda Point.
Kabda Point to Hajar channel {Karim river).-— In this reach
there is shoal water around Dawasir island, and some diffi
cult navigation by Muhalla island. The latter is formed by a
shallow boat channel leading from Baraim village to Harta village
on the eastern bank. Near the village of ’Abbadan, opposite the
upper Dawasir island on the eastern bank, the Bahmanshir ben s
in to within a distance of 1J miles. The refining works of the
Anglo-Persian Oil Company are situated on ’Abbadan Island.
On the western bank above A1 Khast point is the village of
Saiha, with a custom house ; from here on to the Hafar channel
the country is open and devoid of plantations.
From 400 to 1,600 yards south of the entrance of the Hafar
channel, which leads to Mubammaroh and the Kanm river on the