28 ' PASOOE: GEOLOGICAL NOTES OX MESOPOTAMIA. 



more occur in the north-eastern limb, the general maximum dip 

 is probably nearer ]5° while that on the south-west is still less. The 

 parallel anticline whose axis appears to be about 2| miles south-west 

 of the Mishrak axis is so low and flat as to be only just recognisable 

 near Shura. North of Jahannam there seems to be a small flat 

 northwardly pitching branch fold. From Kharrar north-eastwards 

 the dip is, with few and unimportant interruptions, a north-easterly 

 one as far as the alluvial plain in which Hammam Ali occurs, so that 

 the oil and sulphur indications of the latter locality may be connected 

 with the Mishrak fold, perhaps lying upon a' subsidiary pucker 

 m the flank of the main anticline. The area was a vast swamp 

 of mud at the time of my visit, and a thorough examination was 

 impossible. An extended survey with a large scale map and the 

 drill will probably throw light on this area. As the seepages are 

 of some importance the following remarks are offered for what 

 they are worth. There is a minor line of anticlinal folding along 

 the east bank of the Tigris, through Hawi Arslan and Humairah. There 

 seems also to be a similar line along the west bank east of and parallel 

 to the road between Hammam Ali and Mosul. This general line 

 extends from Mosul perhaps as far south as Yuhainah, "and would 

 pass through Hammam Ali. My investigations were too brief and 

 hurried for me to determine where along this line a boring would 

 best be made, whether N.N.W of Hammam Ali in the Huslaun 

 plain, or S.S.E. in the Yuhainah plain, whether on any of the small 

 islands in the river here, or whether in any part of the hills between 

 Lazzaka and Abu Sif. For about six miles west of Hammam Ali 

 the general north-easterly or north-north-easterlv dip persists, when a 

 slight change commences, and two miles further west a distinct 

 W.N.W.— E.S.E. anticlinal arch can be made out. 



Petroleum and Sulphur. 

 Natural Indications.— One emanation of sulphuretted hydrogen 

 was observed near Rassif. From the top of the cliffy a sulphur 

 occurrence of importance was observed in a blocked branch of the 

 Tigris immediately above the entrance of the Greater Zab. This 

 forms a vast pool of sulphur-yellow water, the odour of sulphuretted 

 hydrogen from which can be perceived throughout the Mishrak 

 hills during an easterly wind. The Arabs reported that a poison- 

 ous gas is evolved therefrom which will overpower anyone unwary 

 eiiough to approach too closely ; this report is true, as the gas is 



