Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/159

143 THE PLAIN OF MERJ ? AYUN. 143

THE PLAIN OF MERJ 'AYN, OR THE MEADOW OF THE FOUNTAINS.

Only the southern part of Merj 'Ayiin falls within the survey. Its name Ayun, according to Dr. Eobinson, is the equivalent, in Arabic, for the Hebrew Ijon of the Bible (1 Kings xv, 20 ; 2 Kings xv, 29 ; 2 Chron. xvi, 4), the meaning of both being the same. The ancient city of Ijon is identified with Tell Dibbin, a mound beyond the map, rising 110 feet above the base ; a noble site, overlooking the whole plain, and commanding the great road from Sidon to Damascus.* The map begins at 'Am Derderah in the centre of the plain, which is said to be six miles long, and from one to three miles broad. It is connected with the Huleh Plain and the Jordan by Nahr Bareighit, which unites with the Hasbany, near the junction of the Leddan and Banias.

Dr. Thomson describes a furious storm which occurred in this plain in December 1856. It came on with great rapidity in columns of mist from the Huleh. Ten men in full view of their homes were unable to escape from it, and died in a few minutes from its intensely chilling effects. There was neither snow nor frost nor much rain, but the force of the wind tore up and drove everything before it. Eighty-five head of cattle perished at the same time, chilled to death by the wind.f

An aneroid observation by Dr. de Forest, quoted by Dr. Eobinson, gives the northern end of the plain an altitude of 1,822 feet, the southern end being 1,500 feet, but the slope is imperceptible, the surface appearing to be quite level. The French Survey of the Lebanon, according to the "Carte du Liban," gives the altitude of Tell Dibbin as 1,770 feet, which is confirmatory. It has been said that the natural course of the Litany Eiver is southward to the Jordan Valley,

Thomson, " Land and Book," 222-225. f " Land and Book," 224.
 * Robinson, "Bib. Ees.," iii, 393-375. Guerin, " Galilee," ii, 280.