'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎83] (194/258)

OBSERVATIONS ON BAGHDAD.
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which they have left moist, is carefully sown with grains, and plentiful crops
from this source alone are obtained.
These natural fountains called Thannayl and Abu’l-kir are situated about
4£ hours north-west of Kaleh Rahmadi.
The latter, as their name implies, are impregnated with bitumen, but the
water, otherwise, is said to be good and wholesome. The whole district of
the Dellim from Hit southward is said to be more or less prolific in sulphur
and bituminous productions, particularly where the springs are thermal and
salt, as at Hit, having a temperature of about 93 ° ^ Much salt is obtained
from them by evaporation.
Though the occupations of the Deflim aro chiefly pastoral, the security of
their position, their strength and character for riches, leads them to offer
much opposition to the Government, for the Bedoins readily join them when
inclined to be lawless and refractory. The tribe itself, indeed, usually throws
the blame of its actions upon those people who are ever ready to father the
sins of others so long as they enjoy hospitality and good fare free of expense ;
for “ say its me” costs them little at any time. The temper of this tribe
is very uncertain from these causes. The roads between Hit, Baghdad and
Hillet are kept in constant alarm; caravans suffer plunder and violence,
if not murder attends the forays they are engaged in. In the spring they
wander as far as the Dijeil and Tekit on the Tigris for the benefit of the
richer pastures for their flocks. Were they united they might muster 10,000
fighting men, with a third of that number armed with fire-arms. They pos
sess camels, flocks and herds in abundance ; are hospitable, and some of
the Chiefs whom I have met, possess an intelligence above the ordinary run
of Arab races.
Tribes located near the Dijeil, north-west of Baghdad.
Families. Tents. Usual abode.
Al-Khasrii ISO Dijeil.
Al-Majumnieh 200 Beled and Kantureh Harbeh..
Al-Makadmeh 150 Sumeycheh to Tigris.
Beni Timmin 250 Khatheyreh. t
i so <! Neighbourhood of Jebbareh and
Al-bu Hujaza 15U ^ Bei ec L
Aj-Jeneyleh ISO Between Sumeycheh and Beled.
The Diieil is the canal cut from the west bank of the Tigris just below
Samara, and waters an extensive district formerly containing a vast population,
that resided in towns, which are now seen m ruins on the deserted channel
of the Tigris. They are cultivators, principally mthe employ ol the Zabit
oftheDijeil, who farms the land to them. They are rich too in flocks and
herds Portions of them are pastoral and some predatory, for they join the
Bedoins at times in their forays. All are petty thieves on ^ occasion
A gun to a tent and a mounted spearman to every three tents is the lull
measure of their strength when united.