of the waters of this river into those of the Kerkhah.1 If
this opinion be well founded, some of the difficulties connected
with the ascent of Nearchus, the admiral of Alexander’s fleet,
would he removed; and the probability that the Kerkhah was
once increased in this way is strengthened by a belief which prevails
throughout the country, that the bed of the lower Diyalah,
of its present size at least, is of comparatively recent formation.
At about one mile and a half below the canal commence
the ruins of Eski Baghdad, which join the northern portion
of those of the ancient city of Sammara.8 The latter was a
celebrated place, not only during the Roman wars, but also in
the time of the Khaliph Motassem, who, in the ninth century,
made it the seat of his government. At about 12 miles below
the supposed work of King Solomon, there is also on the left
bank another canal, called Nahr al Resas; which takes its
departure at the ruins of Kaim.3 This is one of the heads
of the famous Nahrawan, which waters Sala and some other
villages.1 Its bed may still be traced in a direction parallel
to the Tigris, as far as Kut-el-Amarah, or, according to some,
to the river Kerkhah itself.
Just below Sammara, on the opposite bank, is the bed of the
Dujeil, or Little Tigris. This cut, according to Abu-l-feda,
went from thence and watered the land near Baghdad.6 It
was met with in several places during the examinations of
Dr. Ross; but, owing to the neglect so prevalent under
Moslem governments in the present day, the dike, or bund,
at the entrance6 has fallen into a state of decay; therefore,
instead of constituting an abundant supply, the water carried
along this channel only occupies a small part of the ancient
bed, and this to a moderate depth.7
1 In a paper lately sent to the Geographical Society by Dr. Ross, it is stated
that, according to the accounts of the Arabs, this canal goes to Hawiza.
* Rich’s Kurdistdn, Vol. II., p. 150.
8 Dr. Ross's MSS.—Journey, 1834, p. 19.
4 Mr. Rassam’s MSS. of Abu-l-fedd. 5 Ibid.
8 Lieutenant Lynch: Vol. IX. Part III., p. 415, of the Journal of the
Royal Geographical Society.
7 Up to the horses’ girths.—See Dr. Ross’s Journey, Vol. IX. Part III.,
p . 344, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.
This cut takes a S.E. direction through cultivated lands,
where its effects, even in its present diminished state, are most
striking in fertilizing the grounds and fruit gardens surrounding
the villages; this is particularly the case near the prosperous
village of Sume'ichah, situated about 17 miles S.E.
from the commencement of the canal. Here irrigation has
changed a tract which was previously barren, into one
possessing the fertility ascribed to this region by Herodotus,
whose account has too often been placed amongst
the legends of fiction by those who make the produce of
ordinary countries a standard for estimating that of Mesopotamia.
Immediately after the ancient derivation of the Dujeil, the
main stream sweeps round so as to take an eastern course,
passing a little way southward of El Sanam,1 or Nabga, and
also of the extensive Sassanian ruins of Kadisiyeh, which were
once washed on the opposite side by that which now appears
to be a secondary branch or feeder of the Nahrawan.2
Opposite the ruins of Kadisiyeh there is still visible an
extensive dry bed, lying in a S.E. direction from the right
bank of the main river, which runs towards the east as before.
This ancient bed was met by Dr. Ross in several places under
the name of Shatt-Aidha, and was traced into the Tigris at
about 17 miles N. by W. of Baghdad, having in its course
cut off the bend made by the present river to the eastward.
A belief has generally prevailed that the Tigris once flowed
in this channel; but the space between the river and the said
bed being described by Lieutenant Lynch as having been an
island in former times,3 it can scarcely be doubted that this
was merely a derivation, either natural or artificial, from the
main stream.
Near the commencement of the Dujeil is one extremity of
the celebrated Median wall, which proceeds from thence
S S .W .JW . towards the Euphrates, a few miles westward
1 The Idol.—Rich’s Kurdistd.ii, Vol. II., p. 152.
8 Dr. Ross’s MSS.—Journey, 1834, p. 11.
8 The place on which you now stand was once an island, and the Tigris
formerly divided at the end of the Sidd.—Lieutenant Lynch: Vol. IX. Part III.,
p 414, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.