"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎١‎٦] (٥٤٢/٢٢٥)

216
LAND EOUTES
After vain the whole of the country passed over becomes sodden
and heavy; the ground on the 1. bank is said to be more liable to
inundation than the other. Certain parts of the ground passed over
are impregnated with salt, and are said to be worse than the others
after rain. There are also numerous soft patches of oily sand.
In dry weather motor lorries have done this journey with some
trouble; after rain wheeled transport would find difficulty, and
could probably not count on doing more than 8-10 m. per day.
After rain transport of all kinds and men or horses would find it
difficult to do more than short marches.
There are practically no supplies. The few villages met with lie
within 16 m, of Ahwaz, but produce nothing worth calculating on.
Arab encampments during the winter, if met with, might produce
some cattle and sheep. Water is obtainable from the Karun Eiver.
Between Ali ibn el-Husein and Kut Abdallah the track followed
runs for 26 m. over waterless country accompanied by the pipe-line;
this would be avoided by following the river more closely, thus
lengthening the journey by 12-15 m.
There is no grazing except after rain, and then only in very
limited quantity. Fuel is obtainable from brushwood which grows
along the bank of the river, but the supply is rapidly diminishing.
Miles from
Moham-
mareh
0
8
Mohammareh. The route starts on the 1. bank of the
Karun, immediately above the point where the Bahman
Shir branches off. The latter is unfordable at all times of
the year. Travellers usually cross to or from r. bank
of the Karun at Marid, and begin or conclude their use
of this route at that point.
Marid village, stream and ferry. When the water is low
(i. e. between May and October) the Marid is fordable,
though the bottom is always muddy. After the rains
Uave begun (i. e. any time between November and March)
the Marid is often unfordable, and must then be crossed
by a ferry, the animals being swum over. The best place
for the erection of a bridge or for the passage by ferry is
within 200 yds. of the Karun ; farther down the stream
gradually becomes a marsh, and another obstacle in the
shape of the Fellahlyeh Canal would have to be crossed.
The width of the channel is 40 ft., but the amount filled
with water varies according to the season of the year.
The bank is suitable for landing heavy vehicles in h.w.;