Dripping Cave

A little to the west of the great gate is a large cave, from the roof of which water continually drips. Here is the great place for making keif, for being in itself very cool, and thickly shaded in front by fruit trees of all sorts, planted on the level grass before the opening, it forms a delicious retreat. There was a little garden, where leeks and lettuces, and even a little tobacco grew; and on one side was a flourishing row of beehives, made, as usual in these parts, of huge earthenware pots sealed up at both ends with mud, which could be broken away when the honey was to be taken. Under one of the dripping stones was a large basin cut out of the rock, in which the water collected; it had a strong mineral taste. Parry 1895, p 268

Descending a little to the west of the convent is a large natural cave called Eu-Nakoot, the roof of which forms a dripping fountain. In the front of the cave are a few trees affording a cool and agreeable shade, and much frequented but he people of Mosul during the summer months. After examining all the objects of interest in the neighbourhood, we spread our carpets in the church porch, and talks over the faded fortunes of the Syrian Christians. Badger 1852, p 98

This place, so lovely in itself, and so suggestive of great thoughts, is the summer resort of the Jacobites of Mosul, to drink and carouse. Their bottles of arrack lie in the crystal pool, and these rocky walls re-echo their bacchanalian revelry. Laurie 1855, p 97