_ 512 _ a large city also in Arabia, which is called Mash-had Ali, [Cazaquia], and [Corea=? Horramshar] and other towns of the Turk are closer. From Basra to the mouth of the river Euphrates, where it enters the Persian Gulf, is twenty five leagues. In the mouth of the river is an island called [Murgis ?= Musa], twelve leagues long, as a result of which there are two entrances. It is possible to navigate by both, but the one on the Persian side is more easily navigable. The depth of water in this river from the mouth as far as Basra is from four to five braças, and the tide is so strong here that if the wind is light, one makes headway against it. The voyage from Ormuz to Basra is along the coast of Persia because it is clear and there are many ports and watering-places, which is quite different from the Arabian side. It is possible to sail from Ormuz to Basra throughout the year, but in the months of December and January there is some danger. The principal monsoon season from Ormuz to Basra is in the months of May, June, July and August, and the period for most sailing from Basra to Ormuz is September, October and November. Which is the season for horses and supplies. It takes thirty to thirty-five days from Ormuz to Basra because the
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