304 Journal of a Steam Trip to the north of Baghdad. [April, 



contemplation is afforded by the remains of so many noble works of the 

 same order lying scattered around neglected and abandoned ; showing 

 at a glance without the aid of history, the once flourishing state of this 

 classical province. 



Left Sindiyah at 12-10 p. m. and at 1-35 observed it to bear 137°. 

 At this spot the high cliffs forming the valley of the Tigris abut on 

 the left bank of the stream, and the large canal Nahrwan is seen above 

 them about half a mile distant, bending to the S. eastward. From this 

 point the river runs in a more westerly direction, and at 3-10 passed 

 some high cliffs (assumed at 50 feet) on the summit of which a part of 

 the Nahrwan is observed to have been cut away by the force of the 

 current encroaching on and undermining the soil on which it stands. 

 The cliffs forming the right bank of the river are distant from this spot 

 about five miles. A long alluvial Hawi* projects from them to within 

 100 yards of the left bank. This space only is now occupied by the river. 

 The tomb of Imam Syed Mahomed bears from this point 262°. This 

 also is the general direction of the river to the mouth of the river Atheim. 

 The Nahrwan is also known here by the name of El Dojin. 3-35 an- 

 chored off a small branch of the Atheim to obtain observations.f The 

 western branch is larger, and is two miles distant from this. It now 

 appears a considerable stream, but when I passed it in March 1843, it 



* Alluvium deposits in the valley of the Tigris are thus styled. 



t The western or larger mouth of the river Atheim is V 9" west of Baghdad hy these 

 observations. Its sources are in the Seghimeh range of Kurdish mountains. The Kisseh 

 Sir at Kerkuk.the stream atTau and the Safidrud unite their waters in about Lat. 34° 

 40' north, and in the meridian of Baghdad from whence, under the name of the Atheim 

 it pursues a course a little to the westward of south, through the Hamria range, and final- 

 ly falls into the Tigris in Lat. 34° 00' 80". Where the Atheim breaks through the Hamria, 

 the remains of a strong " Sidd" exists, of great antiquity. This " Sidd" formerly blocked 

 up the natural course of the stream, diverting it into two ancient canals, named the 

 Nahr Batt to the north, and the Nahr Rathan to the south. These canals irrigate the 

 country between the Hamrool and the Nahrwan, and contribute materially to swell 

 the waters of the latter. 



There can be little doubt, but that the Atheim is the Physeus of Xenophon, but the 

 position of its junction with the Tigris in the days of the learned Greek, must be sought 

 for, I think to the south of its present confluence. A line carried south a little westerly 

 from the present delta of the Atheim, to the dry bed of the Sh'taitha, would in all pro- 

 bability not only mark the site of its former confluence with the Tigris, but might pass 

 over, or near to some extensive ruins, in which might be traced some features that 

 would identify them with the lost Opio. 



