'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎16] (59/905)

16
JUNCTION OF THE BRANCHES.
[CHAP. II.
Gate it is only about 100 yards wide, and here it is crossed
by a fine bridge of 10 arches. 1
Rich pasture A little below the bridge the Tigris curves round, so as
grounds. o o ^
to take a general direction eastward, and passes through a
rich plain of pasture land, bounded by a low range of hills
on each side. A few villages still appear here and there, but
formerly this plain was cultivated in every part, and covered
with towns, some of which contained from 400 to 500 houses,
and more than one Christian church. 2
After continuing nearly 40 miles in the same direction,
the Tigris receives a tributary from the northern slope of
Mount Masius. 3
After this junction has taken place, the main branch makes
a sweep northward, and then eastward, for about 18 miles,
to 'Osman Keiu, where it is joined by the eastern, or second
TijS^ 6 ' 11 g rea t branch of the Tigris; which is formed by the union
of different smaller branches, springing from the sides of
Ali Tagh, the ancient Niphates. The principal of these
branches rises in the latter range, at a short distance from
the Murad-chai, and takes a S.W. course along a spacious
mountain valley, going in the same direction towards the
Tigris, till, at about 25 miles from its spring, it receives,
near Myafarekin, an abundant stream, which rises at a short
distance westward of that place.
Myafarekin. The town stands at the foot of a range of mountains, and
is about half a mile square. Its houses, which are flat-roofed,
are chiefly in a ruinous condition; and there are some mosques
of simple architecture. It is surrounded by an ancient wall
of massive construction, and about 25 feet high, with square
towers, to flank it, at intervals of 100 yards from each other.
Myafarekin was the capital of Sophene before the time of
the Moslems, 4 and the river, passing about 20 miles eastward
1 Niebuhr, Vol. II., p. 326.
^ Brant's Journey, p. 209, Vol. VI. Part II, Geographical Journal.
This stream was crossed by Niebuhr, and, subsequently, by Mr. Ains-
V*! Ill ^ WaS I10t owe( ^ to junction with the Tigris.—See
* Abu-l-feda, Mr. Rassam's translation.