'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎251] (360/496)

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daily progress, although uninteresting in themselves, I trust may prove
of some value to the geographer, from the many bearings and astrono
mical observations interspersed throughout them.
Baghdad, 31s£ December, 1847. ) (Signed) Felix Jones,
H. C, Armed Steam Vessel “ Nitocris.” f Commander, I. N.
Notes made on a Journey to the Frontier of Turhey and Persia,
through a part of Kurdistan,
August IQth, 1844.—We commence our journey from Baghdad with
the thermometer at 109°, on a very oppressive day, and quit the city by
the Mo’adhem gate at 5*43 p. m., accompanied by our friends,—who,
however, soon left us. The party consists of Major Rawlinson, the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Mr. H», a British Merchant, and myself; with a retinue
amounting to some twenty in all, and a body of mounted troopers sent
by the Pacha, not only as a guard of honor, but for protection against
the Arab parties, which advance at this time nearly to the walls of the
city in search of plunder. At 6T3, before night sotting in, observed
the following bearings :—Road back, 211°, Minarets of Kathemein, 255°.
After a halt of ten minutes we resumed our journey, travelling in a
general direction of 13°. At 8*28, called another halt, to collect the
party ; and at 8*37 w r ent on in a direction of 20°. Arrived at Khani-
beni-sa’ad * at 10T8, somewhat fatigued, having passed over a level
desert covered with mounds of ancient ruins, and intersected with the
broken banks of canals since 8*37. Spread our carpets on the ground ?
with a clear blue sky the only canopy, and enjoyed a refreshing night's
rest.
August 22nd. — Mounted at 2*50 a. m., to avoid the heat of the day.
How deliciously pure is the atmosphere of this morning in the open
desert, compared to the confined air we met within the walls of Baghdad !
There is a beauty in the stillness, and it is a luxury to breathe. M e
held on a course of 20 ° to 5*25, when it was sufficiently light to obtain
* A few wells in the vicinity of this Khan afford for the cattle only a supply ot
brackish water. It is therefore necessary for the traveller, should he intend stop
ping at this stage, to provide himself with a supply from Baghdad, particularly
during the hot season. Fresh water is, however, sometimes kept for sale at the
Khan, brought in skins from the Diyaleh.