'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎52] (185/458)

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§2 COMMANDER F. JONES.
animals, I had purchased for the Werka journey, two dromedaries and
a quantity of skins, so that I could move about independent of the known
watering places* Twenty minutes were occupied in threading the nar
row and filthy streets of that portion of the city denominated the
suburbs of Baghdad, on the west of the Tigris, now a mass of ruins, the
exterior defences or wall having been prostrated by the flood of 1839,
and its material above the foundations, as appears to be the general
custom, removed—either for repairs, or for the erection of other build
ings—unnoticed by the authorities. The day was of that sultry and
oppressive character usually attendant on Southerly^ winds in Syria
and Mesopotamia. Clouds of dust hung as it were suspended in the
surrounding atmo sphere, which was rendered stagnant by its density
and caused a feeling to be experienced akin to suffocation. This we
not only felt ourselves, but it was evident as we passed amid the throng,
for on the heaps of rubbish, accumulated at the corners of all Eastern
streets, were congregated groups of two or three individuals awaiting
to undergo in turn, the operation of phlebotomy, commonly resorted
to, at these times, in this country. The barbers indeed, must have
had a profitable day in their several Mohullas,f if we may judge from
the streams of blood that trickled down these heaps, and from the
smiles of satisfaction displayed upon their countenances as—lancet in
hand they left off to admire our cortege as we passed along. These
close and torrid days are frequent in this month and give one a fore
taste of the approaching heats of summer. They forbode rain, which
follows generally in a day or two, and then a succession of Northerly
winds usher in, an elastic and high renovating spring temperature.}
It would appear, however, that these south winds and sudden heats,!)
form a part of the great system, for they are essential to the develop
ment of plants, hastening their blossoms, as well as assisting in the pro
cess of incub ation and thus serving to vivify insect life, while, at the * * * §
* The feeling attendant on, previous to, the coming of a south wind is not a new one, see
Luke XII. 55. and Isiaiah XXI. I
t Mohullah, signifies any distinct quarter of the town. The barbers in Baghdad
still exercise the vocations of surgeon and dentist in addition to their more regular occupy*
tions, and are equally loquacious with their western brethern.
$ The North wind driveth away rain” Proverbs XXV. 2. 3.
§ See note f page 6.
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