'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.' [‎408] (489/905)

408
GULF OF ISSUS.
[CHAP. XVIII.
ern of these is the gulf of Issus enclosed by high mountains,
some of which rise abruptly from the sea, while others are
above a mile from it. The bay has a width of 18 miles and a
half at the entrance, and from thence the inlet, which is
capable of containing all the fleets of Europe, extends 37
miles to the north-eastward; it gradually diminishes, how
ever, in width till it terminates near the Kara Kapu (black
gates), which separate Cilicia from the portion of Syria lying
along the western slopes of Amanus.
piaiu near the With the exceptions of some broken ground towards the
Mediterranean, anc [ the ridge of hills five miles northward of Iskende-
run, through which is the pass of Sakal-tutan (Jonas' pillars),
the narrow district here spoken of forms a continuous plain
of rich light soil, extending from the southward to the Jebel
Rhosus, 1 which rises abruptly from the sea. It is thinly
dotted with Turkoman villages, which are pleasantly situated
amidst fine walnut trees, wild vines, orange groves, and culti
vation ; the rest is pasture land, with occasionally marshes, as
at Iskenderun,
Two branches About seven miles south-eastward from the borders of
ChaTriver! Syria are the remains of a considerable city, probably those of
Issus or Nicopolis, with the ruins of a temple, a part of the
Acropolis, an extensive aqueduct generally with a double row
of arches, running E.S.E. and W.N.W. These, in addition
to the walls of the city itself, are entirely built of lava, and
still exist in considerable perfection. Nearly 14 miles south
ward from thence, the Deli Chai" quits the foot of the Amanus
in two branches, which, after traversing the Issic plain, unite
at the foot of the mountain just previously to entering the
sea. The principal of these branches makes a deep curve
towards the N.E., so that a body of troops occupying one
side might see behind and outflank those posted on the op
posite side ; 8 in which, as well as in other respects, the stream
appears to answer to the Pinarus of Alexander's historians.
A little southward of this river are the castle, khan, bazar,
1 Strabo, XVI., p. 751.
* Arrian's History of Alexander's Expedition, by Mr. Rooke, vol. I., p.
80. London, 1814.