The Euphrates, or, to give the more correct pronunciation, Purat, signifies the 'river' _par excellence_.

It is a quiet stream, flowing along in majestic dignity almost from its two sources, in the Armenian mountains, not far from the town of Erzerum, until it is joined by the Tigris in the extreme south.

As the Shatt-el Arab, _i.e._, Arabic River, the two reach the Persian Gulf.

Receiving many tributaries as long as it remains in the mountains, it flows first in a westerly direction, as though making direct for the Mediterranean Sea, then, veering suddenly to the southeast, it receives but few tributaries after it once passes through the Taurus range into the plain,--on the right side, only the Sadschur, on the left the Balichus and the Khabur.

From this point on for the remaining distance of 800 miles, so far from receiving fresh accessions, it loses in quantity through the marsh beds that form on both sides.