IN LOWER COURDISTAN. 
439 
broken the complete nakedness of the land. We reached the 
base of the hill after a ride of six hours and a half, over about 
twenty-four miles of ground. This city is that understood to be 
the Demetrias of Strabo, and the Corcuro of Ptolemy. It stands 
in lat. 35° 28' 56 long. 44° 33' 3', and lies on the high road to 
Mosul. The greatest part of it occupies the hill, the summit 
and sides of which are defended by strong walls and towers of 
well-compacted clay ; within, every species of Asiatic dirt, close¬ 
ness, and impure air, seems concentrated. The houses are 
packed together, and the bazars narrow and gloomy, though 
exhibiting every sort of merchandise and provision necessary for 
the comfort of the inhabitants. They are chiefly composed of 
Turks, Armenians, Gourds, Arabs, and a few Jews ; and their 
number may amount to ten or twelve thousand. Much of the 
most modern part of the town lies at the foot of the hill, and 
beyond the walls, stretching along the western banks of its river. 
It is well furnished with minarets and domes, rising from several 
mosques ; and also boasts the palace of the governor or hakem, 
who resides there in times of public tranquillity. I brought a 
letter to him from the pasha of Bagdad, and was received with 
every answering hospitality. Kirkook is regarded as one of the 
most considerable places in Lower Courdistan ; which, extend¬ 
ing from the north-western frontiers of Khuzistan, to the high 
mountainous passes of Courdistan (the ancient Carduchia,) com¬ 
prehends almost the whole of Assyria Proper. The country in 
the immediate neighbourhood of Kirkook is in very careful 
cultivation ; the gardens producing olives, pears, and grapes ; 
and though a Mahomedan town, both wine and arrack are made, 
and consumed in great quantities. Here I bade adieu to the last 
date-trees I was to see on this side of the Tigris, a few only 
