"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٠‎٤] (٥٤٢/٣١٣)

304
hrs. min,
10 30
16 45
22 0
LAND ROUTES
there is a difficult descent of 3 m. to Hulailan. In places
the path when used in the reversed direction was found
almost impassable.
Hulailan plain. Camp near the Qara Su river, from which
excellent drinking water may be obtained.
Cross the Qara Su near the Imamzadeh Shah Mohammed.
In August 1908 the water was up to, and over, the
animals' bellies. The stream was 30-40 yds. across,
fairly swift, with stony bottom and low banks. From
here to the end of the Hulailan plain the road is a broad,
level track. Then it passes over undulating ground, and,
though easy for pack animals, is impassable for wheels
owing to frequent nullahs. In the last 2 or 3 m. in the
Jalalavand valley, the road is very narrow, and much
interrupted by irrigation cuts. In the last 2 m. the
Ab-i-Vezman has to be crossed twice. It formed no serious
obstacle in August. At both crossing-places the bed is
very stony. At the first the stream is 20 yds. across and
nearly 2 ft. deep in August: at the second the stream is
about 15 yds. across, is about 1 ft. deep, and has less force
of water. The bed is about 100 yds. wide.
Camping-ground near the Ab-i-Vezman in the Jalalavand
valley. Crops of rice, wheat, barley, and Indian corn in
Jalalavand. Fuel is obtainable. From here to Talan-
desht the track is suitable for mule or donkey transport
only.
Ascend the Jalalavand valley, at first gradually, but very
steeply for the last ^m. before reaching the Tang-i-
Kharribeg, an obstacle, though not a very serious one.
This pass leads into another, the Tang-i-Surkhbeg,
where the pathway at places is very rough and rocky,
and though there are no very steep gradients a good deal
of preparation would be needed for use by transport on
any considerable scale. Almost immediately after this
pass,
A camping-ground in the Talaudesht valley is reached.
The name Talandesht is given to a valley which runs
NW. to the Kalhur country. See also 9. Wheat,
barley, and straw are plentiful. Large herds were pastur
ing here in 1908.
Proceed from here through the Tang -i -Kulilan, where the
track is generally good, though there are a few difficult