"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٢‎٧] (٥٤٢/٣٣٦)

ROUTE 17
327
Miles from
Kerbela
able. Arrangements for drawing water to be found at
the well.
Rahaliyeh Oasis with 16,000 palms. Population largely
negroid. The place is surrounded by brackish swamps,
and is in consequence feverish and unhealthy. After
rain the salt-impregnated marshy ground round the
oasis becomes almost impassable. There is a Mudir here.
Supplies obtainable in small quantities. Live stock
1,000 sheep, 500 goats, 900 horses, 1,200 donkeys. Plen
tiful water-supply for any number of men and animals
from spring. It issues in a warm condition from the
ground, and the same remarks apply to it as to the water
at Shifatheh. Grazing all along the route between
Shifatheh and Rahaliyeh for camels and sheep. At
Eahaliyeh itself there is a fair for horses also. Good
fuel supply.
General direction of route N., but start bearing nearly W.
by N. (280°) over plain.
Two small springs, reported by natives not to dry up
during the summer. From here track turns N.
Cross a dry wadi. Natives report water in the wadi after
rain. Track lies over sandy desert destitute of grazing ;
suitable for guns and wheeled transport.
Rotha. No village. Occasional camping-ground for
Bedouins. Its water-supply, however, from two large
springs, is good, and sufficient for any number of men
and animals. Round the springs there is good grazing
for horses. The natives report that these springs do not
dry up during the summer. The general direction of
the route is still north, over desert without grazing of
any kind. The track is suitable for guns and carriages
the whole way.
Palms of Ramadiyeh become visible.
Lake Habbaniyeh. 3 m. to E.; water brackish and unfit for
drinking.
Ramadiyeh. (Rumadi).