"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٣‎٢] (٤٣٢/١٤١)

132
RIVER ROUTES
the navigable channel followed the 1. bank. Several small
islands are shown in a map of 1908. At the top of the
gorge is a strong backwater, and a whirlpool which is said
to be dangerous when there is much water in the river.
Head of the defile. Above the Halebi Chelebi defile, for
a distance a little under 20 m. to El-Khas (see m. 72, below),
the current runs about 2 m.p.h., the river is 200 yds. broad,
and the average depth does not exceed 4 ft.
The river bifurcates round a large irregularly shaped
island which appears to be about 7 m. long and 3 m. broad
in the middle. There is no evidence to show which branch
is the better for navigation. Distances are here calculated
by the r.-bank branch.
Kasubi (Kosubi), a deserted mud village, with a fort notice
able from the river.
Durra (a kind of millet) is grown on the surrounding
low land.
'Am Tin, a spring by the side of the road, which here
approaches the river.
Qasr Ma'dan lies between the river and the road. On
the other side of the road is Darb el-Wawi (ruins). Above
this point the edge of the desert plateau recedes somewhat;
from the river and leaves a zone of lower land 1—3 m. wide
between it and the r. bank. j
A small tumulus; a ford to the top of the large island
mentioned at m. 54 above is marked here on W. 0. map,
but it is uncertain on what authority. On the island;
opposite the ford is a larger mound which one authority
calls Tel Khumeideh (but see m. 54 above under 1. bank)._
Entrance to a dry arm of the river which passes Qishlaq
Ma'dan about 3 m. WSW. of this point.
Khamisiyeh ferry in Khamlslyeh district. About here
is the upper end of the dry arm mentioned above under
m. 614,
Total
distance
Miles
51
52,
53
54
56
59
59i
61
614
66i
68
70