"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٢‎٤‎٢] (٥٤٢/٢٥١)

242
LAND ROUTES
at all seasons, except in the first 3 m.. where the ground is KnKU r
flood in the high-water season if the Tigris are brell;
Heavy ram would greatly impede wheeled traffic.
The second (western) route through the belt of scrub on the 1 bank
of the Wadi (Lower Ab-i-Changulak) is heavier and rougher
Fatches of soft soil are numerous, but could be avoided. This routp
is apparently not impassable for guns and carts.
wa f er " cliannels met with on bot h routes are supplied from the
Wadi, and are wet or dry at the will of the inhabitants. Most of
them apparently derive their water from the Shehabi Head above
Bagh-i-Shaln (see p. 244). Chitab's channel, however, takes off 4 miles
below Mohammed ibn Jabar (see Alternative (ii), m. 13). When
the channels are wet, they would be serious obstacles for cavalry.
They are often bordered by high reeds affording good cover from view
Water is available only from the Wadi and its channels. It is all
o same quality and brackish, but seems to improve with keeping
and m the cool of the day. Horses drink it readily. It seems to
have no ill effects on men, and the natives use it (see Alternative (ii),
m. jl §)»
Grazing is good. There is much dhoh grass along the channels.
In bept. 1916 there was a considerable amount of hhusa buried on
tne sites ot deserted villages.
Brushwood for fuel is plentiful.
There are sheep in the hills beyond Bagh-i-Shahl.
Miles from
Sheikh
Sa ( ad.
o
10
(i) Via Seyyid Mohammed (28 m.)
Sheikh Sa ad. General direction to m. 10 slightly E. of N.
The first 4 m. are rough going over ground covered with
low grass and bushes. This stretch could easily be made
passable for motors. The first 3 m. are liable to floods
m h. w. if the Tigris hunds are breached: it is said that
the area affected would be small.
From this point onwards the route crosses open bare
country (loamy soil, very heavy after rain).
Seyyid G-uzar, solitary square mud town on the site of
a deserted village.
^ All water-channel, dry in September,
o It. broad, 2 ft. deep, marked by a line of low bushes, is
struck.
The general direction now changes to NE. parallel to the
channel.