Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/213

197 THE MOUNTAINS OF UPPER GALILEE. 197

The Interior of the Plateau of Upper Galilee.

It is now time to take a glance at the interior of the high plateau of Upper Galilee, within the ranges that form its outer limits.

From Jebel Mugherat Shehab, on the east of Jebelet el 'Arils (alt. 3,520 feet), the latter being the highest point observed on the Southern Eange, another range runs north-westerly, crossing the plateau obliquely to Kh. Belat in the Western Eange. This line of heights has the basins of Kurn and Kerkera on the south-west and those of Safed, Hindaj, and Ezziyeh on the north-east. It is traced through Kh. Zebud (alt. 3,200 feet) ; Jebel Jurmuk (alt. 3,934 feet), the highest point in Galilee; and Jebel 'Adather (alt. 3,300 feet). Northward the range runs between Katamun and Semmukhieh, both of which exceed 2,400 feet, but between Jebel 'Adather and Kh. Belat no observations are found along this line. This range may be called the Jermuk Range, after its culminating summit.

Another line of heights runs obliquely from Deir el Ghabieh on the Eastern Eange, to Kh. el Yadhun (alt. 2,512 feet) on the Western Range. This line exceeds 3,000 feet at Jebel Mafun, and it is 2,675 feet at Ith. Shelabun. It divides the basins of Hindaj and Ezziyeh, from those of Selukieh and Hubeishiyeh. This line may be called the Marun Range. According to abundant observations in the upper part of the Ezziyeh basin, the principal watercourses average about 1,800 feet, and the hills about 2,475 feet above the sea. The observations in the upper part of the Kurn basin are very few, and not sufficient for any purpose.

The plateau on the south-west of the Jermuk Eange, consists of the two main valleys of the Upper Kurn, and the heads of the Kerkera. The latter, and one branch of the Kurn, receive the south-western drainage of the Jurmuk Eange. This branch of the Kurn is situated, according to Dr. Eobinson,* in a " deep and vast valley ; " and the aspect of the
 * " Bib. Kes.," TTI, 75, 76, 77.