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



of the cliffs, now washed by the Tigris, but half of it at present remains, 

 the river having swept the remainder away — the walls however on the 

 face of the cliffs are plainly distinguishable, and unlike Qadesiyeh 

 itself, are built of fine kiln-dried bricks, but bear no inscription or cha- 

 racters. The lower half of a statue (whence its name) of black stone 

 similar to those of Egypt, was found here some years ago, and is now 

 in the possession of Dr. Ross. Lat. of Qadesiyeh by a meridional 

 observation of the sun, 34° 4' 38 /; . 



On the high land forming the western valley of the Tigris and 

 immediately opposite, or due west of Qadesiyeh, the remains of a neat 

 square town of some extent are met with. It is called Istabolat. The 

 streets and buildings can be traced by a multitude of mounds and 

 broken brick walls in well designed order, running parallel to, and at 

 right angles from each other. A ruined wall of kiln-dried bricks and 

 a ditch surround it. I had not time to visit this interesting spot, but 

 the note here given is from memory, having previously examined it in 

 1843. The Dijeil* canal leaves the Tigris close to this. The northern 

 and more ancient mouth is now dried up. This canal pursues a 

 S. E. direction and passing the end of the Median Wall, the villages 

 of Harbah and Sumeichah, is finally lost near the Tarmiyeh water. 

 The country is now considerably more elevated. 



Having obtained the noon observation, continued our course at 12 

 hours 15 minutes, passing the head of the Dijeil and Istabolat, and 12- 

 45 El Ghaim,f a solid quadrangular tower situated at the head of the 

 south branch of the Nahrwan. It is certain that this magnificent 

 canal had two large branches from which it received its supply of 

 water, and by some it is imagined that a smaller canal, called the Nahr 

 Hafu, having its mouth at the foot of the Hamrin range, where it is 

 severed by the Tigris, might be called a third. The Nahr Hafti how- 

 ever, is much smaller than the other two branches. It joins the centre 

 one near the Kantara el ResasaJ from whence this main branch pur- 



* The Uijeil and the Khalis are the only canals of importance now existing in the 

 Baghdad Pachalic. They exhibit a lamentable contrast with the numerous catalogue of 

 antiquity. t See note, p. 305. 



% This gigantic caual has long since fallen to decay. It can still be traced for 300 

 miles, and the ruins of former cities, met with on its margin, attest the flourishing state 

 of Irak during its existence. Vast swamps and extensive lakes, in all probability origi- 



