'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.' [‎58] (105/905)

58
LAMLUM MARSHES, AND CHALDEAN LAKE. [CHAP. III.
of the canal, which is 75^ miles by water, and 55| miles
S. 31° E. direct, from the floating bridge at Hillah. The
river is reduced to 160 yards in width opposite Diwaniyah,
and is again diminished to 120 yards towards Lamlum;
having an ordinary depth of about 12 feet, with a current of
two miles and three-quarters per hour in the season of floods;
and it forms but one island in all the distance from Babel to
the commencement of what was at one time the Chaldean lake.
At the north-western extremity of the plain, the Euphrates
forms two branches^ from which smaller ones and numerous
irrigating cuts subsequently diverge. These reunite at some
rising ground near El Karayem, which presents itself on both
sides of the main trunk, and there is thus produced what may
truly be called a delta, although distant from the sea; since
the obstruction thus offered during the season of floods, causes
the waters to spread for about 30 miles, that is, from the
north-western to the south-eastern extremity of the basin ;
the latter extends in width from 10 to 14 miles westward of
the main channel, and to a much greater distance on the
opposite, or eastern side. 1
On the right bank of the smaller branch, 2 and immediately
after the separation, stands the singular town of Lamlum,
which contains about 400 houses, neatly constructed entirely
of reeds. Nearly a mile below the separation of the Lamlum
branch, another, called the canal of Sasend, takes place on
the opposite side, in the direction of Samawah. The main
channel now pursues, with a diminished volume, the general
direction of S.E., by a number of very deep, short bends in
the marshes ; near the extremity of which it is rejoined by
the Serayah, or Semawah branch, on the western side. At
seven miles lower, near Karayem, 3 which is 42 miles by
water, and 331 m iies, S. 48° E., from the bifurcation, it again
receives the eastern branch coming from Lamlum, having
previously received, on both sides, the remains of what had
1 We found what appeared to be also a part of the Chaldean lake, along the
Tigris, in 1836.
8 This goes towards the Kardyem inlet, hut it Was not followed during the
Expedition. 8 Better known as Grahim inlet.