"ملاحظات ميدانية: بلاد الرافدين. هيئة الأركان العامة في الهند. فبراير ١٩١٧". [ظ‎‎١‎٠‎٦] (٣٥٠/٢١٩)

204
Route No. 18— contd.
There are occasional patches of cultivation and small date
groves.
At mile 30, Samawah, a town of about 10,000 inhabitants.
It is divided into two parts by the river, the chief part, including
the Government buildings, is on the south bank, but the barracks
are on the north bank. There are brick houses in both quar
ters. The river is crossed by a boat bridge. There is a bazar
of some 250 shops, and the place is a much frequented Bedouin
market. The neighbourhood is well cultivated, a surplus of
cereals, vegetables, and fruit being exported. There are 20,000
date palms, mostly on the south bank, but these are not sufficient
for local requirements. Livestock and transport animals, ex
cept camels, are owned by the surrounding tribes, but it is
impossible to estimate the numbers that might be forthcoming
if required. °
4 QASR IBN ANSAR ■ . 30.—S. E. The route
T~ leaves the river and
j , runs over soil encrust
ed with salt and of the nature of quicksand. Fuel everywhere 1
grazing excellent. J ’
At Qasr Ibn’ Ansar there is a large pan of very brackish
water drinkable for animals.
5 QASR NABAH . . 30.—S.E. At mile 7.
, qq Qasr-ad-Dughaim a
. . , ruined fort; a pond of
very good and only slightly brackish water. Qasr Nabah, a
stiong fort standing m a depression.
!_ Q s1aghrah • • 25 -~ s - K Very g00d
—— bHAGHRAH. mg over sandy gra-
much bush. Velly COUntry ’ with
At mile 10, Qasr Abu Ghar, from which a track runs north
east by east to Suq-ash-Shuyukh, about 20 miles.
Qasr Bir Shaghrah, a_large mud fort, overlooking a wadi one
mile broad and falling into the Euphrates valley. Near the
tort is a naqrah, or water pan.
KHAMISIYAH
178
14.—At first north-east
along the right bank of
a wadi. At mile 14