260 
VESSELS ON THE TIGRIS. 
and a raised parapet of the same, secures the passengers and 
goods from the water. It is moved by two large oars on each 
side, and a third at one end acts as a rudder. When these ma¬ 
chines reach their place of destination, and the cargo is disposed 
of, all their materials, excepting the skins, are sold ; but they, 
being previously exhausted of their air, are laid on the backs of 
camels, and return by land with their masters to the port whence 
they had been embarked. Eight or ten days are required in 
summer, to make one of these voyages ; but in spring, it may 
be accomplished in four or five; which may sufficiently shew the 
great increase in the rapidity of the current. Of course it will 
be understood, that its general impetuosity prevents the return 
of these rafts by water. 
But the Kelek is not the only singular description of vessel, 
traceable to antiquity, that appears on these rivers of ancient ce¬ 
lebrity. The Kufa, (so named from the Arabic word, which means 
basket,) used as the common wherry-boat, appears a more ex¬ 
traordinary invention than even the preceding. Its fabric is of 
close willow-work, well coated with the bituminous substance of 
the country; which pitch-like crust, by making it water-tight, 
completely secures it from sinking. Perfectly circular, it resembles 
a large bowl on the surface of the stream, and holds about three 
or four persons with room enough, though not in the most agree¬ 
able positions. It is paddled across with ease, and without losing 
much way from the force of the current. Herodotus notices 
these different kinds of boats plying on the rivers of Babylon, 
mentioning them as composed of willows, and the skins of 
animals ; and adds, that on their arrival at the great city, the 
owners sold every material of the boat, excepting the skins, and 
