Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/137

121 PART III. THE PLAINS OF WESTEEN PALESTINE.

A further examination of the Survey points to aspects of the country which, while they are connected with its drain- age, are not limited thereby. Such are the Plains and High- lands, which the Surveyors have delineated on a precise and accurate basis for the first time, A description of the low- lands, and of the most remarkable plains that are spread out among the heights of the interior, appears to be a fitting introduction to a study of the more complicated structure of the highlands which have the plains at their feet, and rise out of them. The famous Archduke Charles observed that " Once masters of the Plains, we are strategically masters of the Moun- tains," and the remark is as applicable to geography as to stra- tegy. In this account the plains are arranged as follows :

1. The maritime and upper plains on the Mediterranean slope.

2. The plains of the Jordan Valley.

3. The Western Shore of the Dead Sea.

1. THE PLAINS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SLOPE.

The Plains of G-alilee. The Maritime Plain of Tyre. The northern extremity of the Phoenician Lowland, or the Plain of Tyre, is intersected by the Eiver Kasimiyeh, at the northern limit of the survey. The southern end of the plain is at Eas el Abyad, the White Head or Cape, and the Promon- torium Album of antiquity. This part of the maritime plain is about 13 miles long, and it was reputed to be " some three or four miles in breadth."* Itenrick made it five miles at Tyre.f The new survey has reduced these estimates considerably. Generally it is about a mile broad, and this is only exceeded very slightly near Tyre, while at each end of the section there is but half a mile between the hills and the shore.

. * Kobinson's Phys. Geog. H. Land," 114. f " Phoenicia," ]9.