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196 196 THE MOUNTAINS OF UPPER GALILEE.

The Northern Range.

Between Khurbet Selem and the Kasimiyeh, which is the northern limit of Upper Galilee, it is necessary to look due east for the next altitude of 2,000 feet ; and one is found at Merkebeh (alt. 2,290 feet), on the inner of the two parallel Eastern ranges. The actual junction of the Northern with the Eastern Range, is no doubt further south, and due west of Hunin, which will become evide'nt in tracing the range from Kh. Selem eastward across the valley. Kh. Selem overhangs the deep and precipdtous valley of el Hajeir, and the continuation of the summit of the rarige is found on the opposite bank, in the village of Suwaneh (alt. 1,766 feet), from whence it ta'kes a zigzag course to Mejdel Islim (alt. 1,910 feet). The short slope of this part of the range is towards the south, where it has for its base the Khallet el Dalieh ; while the long outer slope, extends through Tulin and Abrika, to the great bend of the Selukieh, where it joins the Hajeir, and runs on to the itasimiyeh. The Hajeir also gives its name to the main wady below the junction, although it is less thari half the length of the Selukieh. East of Mejdel Islim, the range is intersected by Wady Selukieh, and on the other side of the wady, it is proposed to trace it along the ridge on the north of Wady el Beiyad, up to the Eastern Range. The slope of this part is short to the south, while the northern slope is longer and extends through Tallusah to the bend of Wady Selukieh. Below the Northern Range, the heights descend to a general level of about 1,500 feet, and drop abruptly by rocky precipices to the lowest wadys which are about 600 feet, at the junction of the Hajeir with the Kasimiyeh. There is an observation at the junction of W. Bureik with W. Hajeir (alt. 635 feet). Above the range the country rises up to 3,000 feet.