"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٤‎٦] (٤٣٢/١٥٥)

146
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Baghdad
39i
41
45
46
47
50
51
52
55i
57
Route runs parallel with general direction of Khalis
Canal, which lies some distance to r.
Abu Tamar, on the r. The soil is of soft crumbling clay,
which cuts up in wet weather. A little cultivation on
the r.
Cross irrigation-channel, 14 ft. wide and 10 ft. deep, trend
ing NE. and SW., by a narrow palm-tree bridge, 2 ft.
wide.
Leave T.L. and turn half r., passing some cultivation on
the 1.
Several irrigation channels on the r., 12 ft. wide and 7 ft.
deep.
Track again turns half r.
Reach the bank of the Khalis Canal, 50 ft. wide and 8 ft.
deep, with banks about 40 ft. high. A few water-lifts.
Some cultivation on the 1. bank, very little on the r.
Cross several outlets of the canal, average depth 8 ft.,
and width about 15 ft.
Seraijik (?) on the r., after crossing several water-cuts.
The place lies among many date gardens, enclosed
by mud walls. These enclosed date gardens would often
form good defensive positions, especially against mus
ketry. It contains about 100 houses.
From Seraijik tortuous route among walled gardens to
Duzdyari.
Duzdyari, 100 houses, date gardens. The Khalis Canal
here winds a great deal, and has a current of about
2 m.p.h., its general direction being SW.
Beyond Duzdyaii r. bank of canal is followed ; several
water-cuts for the first 3 m., about 15 ft. wide and 10 ft.
deep. Small palm-tree bridges. Canal very tortuous,
and navigable for large boats. Water-cuts impassable
for wheeled traffic, one being at least 20 ft. deep and
16 ft. wide.
Pass Abu Delef (?), a few Arab mud huts on the r. (this
place is called Abdul Latif in a report of the route made
in 1903); some Arab tents (1903) on the 1.
Pass Abu Guveli(?), 50 mud huts on the r. (this place is
called Abu Gharra in a report of the route made in
1903). Water-cuts tol. of road, 6 ft. wide and 5 ft. deep,
occasionally overflow (as in 1903) and make ground
boggy.