'ROUTES IN PERSIA. SECTION II.' [‎32] (57/122)

32
Route No. 17— contd.
No.
of
itage.
Names of stages.
D istance is
miles.
Inter
mediate,
Total.
R emarks,
Manscjeta
Fenduk
Balak
10 Sebt
28
27
im
143o
170*
20i
191
me
some-
Mansuria. Beyond this the road skirts the Tigris
crossing the Zozan, a large stream, HO yards
wide, and the valley then contracts, and the
route becomes a difficult track. There is a ferry
at 4 miles from Mansuria and another at Fin ok
7 miles. The cliffs bordering the river been
very steep. A little further valley opens
what, and route recedes from the river, crossing
grassy slopes, fertile, and a little cultivation. At
16 miles a plateau (2,150 feet) is reached, which
is crossed, and there is than a bad aseent to
Penduk (3,450 feet). Some cultivation and good
soil, scrub on the hill-sides. The road descends
again over fertile grassy hill-sides to the river
at 6 miles, scrub and trees ; the bottom of the
valley is followed for 7 miles then a spur is
crossed ; bad route. At 23 miles, at Ghena Khan,
another spur is crossed, and ronte descends to
Balak in the river bed. The valley is here ^ mile
broad. The road keeps up the flat bed of the
river, the valley widening, and after 9 miles
reach the Botan Su, which is forded. It is 75
to 100 yards wide and 3 feet deep. Near this is
Til. The route follows the right bank of the
Botan Su northwards; bad track at first, but
improves, and the valley widens, allowing of a
little cultivation. At 10 miles, after fording
the Bitlis Su, there is a steep ascent out of the
valley by a good pnved 10-ft. road for 800 fnet,
reaching a broad tilled plateau at 19 miles, and
a little further in a hollow is
Sert. This route, which is taken from Colonel Bdl's
and Lieutenant Maunsell's reconnaissance, is of
great importance, and is the chief rnute from
Mosul to the plateau land of Kurdisfan and
Armenia. Between Mosul and Jazirah there is
no difficulty for wheeled transport, but although
guns could be got to Sert from Jazirah, this could
not be done without great difficulty. The usual
route from Mosul io Diarbekir is by this line as far
as Jazirah. Camels are not found north of Jazirah.
A very important hill route leads from Jazirah by
Shattak to Van,* which would be followed in
proceeding from Mosul to Van, unless a more
eastern line by Amadia were taken. The route
mentioned as turning off to Alk©sh is important
as leading to Amadia.
The hills to the right of this route, after it passes
Zakho, are rugged im general, the tributaries of
the Tigris issuing from deep gorges, access along
which'is difficult. In; the winter the level country
* See Route No. 32.