1847-] Journal of a Steam Trip to the north of Baghdad. 329 



large encampment of the Shammar now occupy this magnificent plain. 

 They are of Mejris' party and of considerable strength. Nejin is the 

 name of the Sheikh, indeed the margin of the river from Tekrit to 

 Khan Kharneinah is now entirely peopled by the Shammar, and all 

 communication between Tekrit and Mosul is in consequence stopped. 

 They have vast herds of camels and sheep, which are seen gazing with 

 their beautiful horses on this rich plain dotted here and there with 

 black tints, affording a pleasing picture of pastoral life, did not the 

 character of the tribe contrast sadly with its primitive habits. 



At six p. m. brought to for the night on the east bank. Our whole 

 progress to-day, as deduced from the latitude obtained from an altitude 

 of Dubhe, 34° 49' 43/' has been but 7' 51" to the northward. The 

 river rose three inches during the night. 



April 12. — Left at six a. m. and struggled hard against the rapid 

 stream until 9h. when we were opposed by a fall. The ascent of this, 

 not 100 feet in extent, occupied us until llh. 20m. It was only over- 

 come at last by a south wind springing up, enabling sail to be set, and 

 by sending our boats to track up in shore. 12h. 30m, passed a ruined 

 Khan named Kharneinah,* situate under the cliffs on the west side of 

 the valley. These cliffs now diverge considerably more to the west- 

 ward, while those forming the east boundary of the valley of the 

 Tigris, tend more to the eastward, leaving abrupt and broken angles 

 at Kharneinah on the west, and at a point called Leg Leg on the 

 east. Immediately north of Leg Leg about three miles, the remains of 

 Nahr Hafu, or upper branch of Nahrwan, is seen. It is said to have 

 conveyed the waters of the Tigris under the cliffs, through a tunnel, to 

 the main branch at Kantarat el Resasa ;f another small canal or feeder is 

 situate about two miles south of the same point. From the diverging 

 points described above, the country is more open and undulates in 

 gentle slopes to the foot of the Hamrin range. From Khan Kharneinah 

 the river is very tortuous and is divided by numerous beautiful islands, 

 covered with every species of wild grass, as well as with the tamarisk 

 • 



* A caravanserai now in ruins. It stands on the high road to Mosul, and was much 

 frequented when the kafilas pursued the route by the Jozira. The encroachments and 

 increasing 1 power of the Arabs rendering travelling by this route unsafe, caused its aban- 

 donment. 



t Ancient Carche. 



