'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎85] (218/458)

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MEMOIR ON THE « TIGRIS.’ , g-
course as ifcis observed at the present time to rim in, North of Samara
and Tekrifc. From the windings of its bed in this part, it is easily infer
red that the stream had in a measure issued from the confined gorge of
its own making that had restrained its impetuosity in the more elevated
and rocky regions, and the curves all tending to the East show the line
of least resistance to have been in that direction. This weakness in
m y opinion ultimately led to the great irruption the river has made
to the Eastward, perhaps from a shoulder of the rocky superstratum, in
the neighbourhood of Qadesiyeh, having suddenly given way under
the pressure of so large a body of water, constantly impinging upon it
from the firm and more elevated cliffs of a hard sandstone region
which opposes itself as a barrier to the West. Along these the
Dijeil Canal has been excavated, its banks being at times within a
few yards of the ancient bed of the Tigris, and at others not half a
mile distant, while below, in the neighbourhood of Sumeyeheh and
Akbara, it would appear that the waters of the canal, having attained
the level of the plains, were actually led into its channel.
Continuing along the bank of the old bed of the Tigris—now well
marked either by cultivation or by the growth of an indigenous brush
wood—we reached the mounds of another fallen city, equally extensive
with Akbara, and exhibiting the same masses of prostrated buildings
covered with slag pottery, corroded coins, and scoriae, as are obser
vable at that place. It occupies the space contained between the old
channel of the Tigris, and the modern Dijeil. A few years ago a lofty
minaret stood in the deserted city, which is named Harbeh by the mo
dern Arabs ; its pedestal is now all that remains to confirm its Mahomedan
origin; I am of opinion, however, that the foundations of this town are
of greater antiquity than this era, not only from the images of animals
formed in terra cotta, which are found broken among the mounds,
but from the appearance of an extensive platform of antiquated brick,
which is seen a few yards to the West of a venerable tomb # known as
* The accompanying sketch of my companion Mr. Taylor represents this building only
different from other minor Mahomedan tombs, in having the grave within diagonal to the
square of the walls enclosing it. The sepulchre as usual points to the Keblah, in a direction
°f SW. while the walls of the tomb run in a line with the cardinal points. My ignorant guide
can give me no information as to the history of the occupant Syed Saadi, nor can I learn the
reason for the fantastic position of his resting-place. The bearings here are notitied in
Appendix under R. j the original of the two horned human heads in terra cotta, represented
among the devices accompanying the pajjer, was obtained on this spot.