'Military Report on S. W. Persia, Volume II, Arabistan' [‎7v] (19/96)

4
Khor Silaik. A little water, however, is taken off by the Muham-
mareh-Fallalueh canal, and discharged into the Kanin.
Until about 1766 Madineh was the principal centre of popula
tion; subsequently, however, Fallahfeh came into prominence, after
the construction of the large canals which surround it.
The Muhammareh-Fallahieh canal, originally about 12' wide,
leads from the JarrShI canal system to the M3.rid creek on the Karun.
Starting from Fallahleh, it traverses date groves for 6 or 7 miles,
and here is deep and broad, fordable only in autumn. It then
enters the marshes, which absorb most of its water, leaving only
an exiguous stream, 4' or 6' wide and 3' deep, which flows without
further diminution to Mar id : the last four miles of the canal are
affected by tides in the Karun. River-boats with only 4' of beam
and drawing 2' only of water, can use the canal, and 30 or 40
such boats daily make the journey between Muhammareh and
Fallahleh.
The JarrdhlrHindian dodh is a desert, flat, barren and unbroken
by mud huts, depressions or marshes.
It is less inhabited than any other tract in ’ Arabistan, and only
one track crossing it (that from Ma’shur to Deh Mulla) is in
common use,
The Hindian 'River is not unlike the Karun on a small scale,
its banks are high and steep, its course very winding and its current
slow. Both banks are inhabited by Arabs whose hamlets, at
intervals of 3 or 4 miles, extend from Hindian to Zaidan. A
largish canal takes off at a point near Gargarl on this river, and
waters the country on the W. bank as far as Deh Mulla. There
is little doubt that a small expenditure op further canals in this
district would be richly rewarded, The soil is well suited for irri
gation, and ip fact throughout ’Arabis'an, there is remarkably
little ground that is not susceptible of cultivation.
The east boundary of ? Arabisfan lies a few farsalchs beyond
the Hindian River ; on the other side live the Llrawl Arabs, of the
same race as those of 'Arabistan, but under the jurisdiction of
Bars.
The coast of S. , Arahistan .—For some 30 miles, the Shatt-al-
’Arab is the S. boundary of S. ’Arabistan, and of Persia. Along
the shores of Abbjidan I., and to a less extent on either bank of
the Karun, the country is covered with a network of tidal
canals, watering the date groves from which the Shaikh derives a
Jarge revenue, The Bahmanshir R, is similarly utilized, Band