Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/238

222 222 THE NORTHERN SAMARITAN HILLS.

necessary to prolong the boundary of the section across the plain along Wady Shair, to its junction with the Nahr Iskanderuneh, and to the outfall of the latter into the sea, The coast line then forms the boundary of this enlargement.

The whole of the Western Plateau of the Northern Samaritan Hills from the Beiazid Eange to Cape Carmel, may be thus divided according to its natural features :

(1). Mount Carmel, having its southern base in Wady el Mihl and Wady el Matabin, called lower down Wady Henu. This mountain with its parallel ranges has been so fully described in connection with its watercourses, as to require no further notice. See pages 26 to 30.

(2). The lower tract of Belad er Euhah, with the corre- sponding slope to the Mukutt'a. This may be conveniently limited on the south by Wady 'Arah, the north-western branch of Nahr el Mefjir, descending westward from Umm el Fahm, and eastward by the wady which skirts Musmus, and the high road in that direction. This tract descends on the west, partly to the narrow Plain of Tanturah, and partly to the broader Plain of Sharon. The descent is abrupt to the narrow plain, and forms the bold headland of el Kashm. It is chiefly in the basins of Nahr ed Dufleh and Nahr ez Zerka. See pages 30, 31.

(3). The wooded heights culminating in Sheikh Iskander (alt. 1,690 feet), embracing the rugged hills of Umm el Khataf, and extending southward to the Wady of Burkin, the Plain of 'Arrabeh, and Wady el 'Asl. These hills are the Northern Heights of the Mefjir Basin. See page 34.

(4). The Eastern Plains of the Mefjir Basin, including the Plain of 'Arrabeh or Dothan, the plateau of the Upper Selhab ; the Merj el Ghuruk, and the Plain of Fendakumieh.

(5). The Western Heights of the Mefjir Basin, culminating in Batn en Nury (alt. 1,660 feet).

(6). The Southern Heights or the Beiazid Range and Jebel Eslamiyeh, the Mount Ebal of Scripture.

For a description of these six divisions in more detail, reference may be made to the account of the basins which