Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/243

227 THE SOUTHERN SAMARITAN HILLS. 227

of them.* Mons. Guerin visited the same tract,. and treats with more minuteness than any other authority on the antiquities, the villages, and their inhabitants, including some points not to be found in the survey.t

On the west of the main waterparting, this section is throughout an undulating plateau, the western edge of which, as observed from the Plain of Sharon, would probably be represented by summits of 1,200 feet, or thereabout, with variations descending to 1,000 and rising to 1,500. Towards the main waterparting, the altitudes frequently exceed 2,000 feet, and culminate in Kh. el Kerek (alt. 3,002 feet). It may be well to note the small Plain of Mukhnah, because it lies at the eastern base of Mount Gerizim, and is so well known to travellers between Jerusalem and Nablus ; but it is insignificant in comparison with the larger plains on the north. There is also the straight Wady Ishar, running south- westward from 'Akrabeh to Kurawa, with scarcely a bend for 13 miles. It receives no affluent of any consequence from its right bank, but on its left bank it takes all the drainage between it, the Sinjil Eidge, and the main waterparting.J

The range between 'Akrabeh and Iskaka, throws off its waters northward to the Wady Kanah, and sends a spur between that wady and Wady Yasuf, as far as their junction. Another spur proceeds from Iskaka to the Kanah, and has the villages of Merda, Kefr Haris, and Deir Estea on its summit. Two ridges emanating from Kefr Haris, run to the Plain of Sharon, and enclose the Wady Rabah and its branches, dividing it from Wady Kanah, on the north, and Wady Ballut on the south.


 * Eobinson's " Bib. Kes." iii, 292-297.

f Guerm, " Samarie," ii, ch. xxix-xxxii.

Probably the Wady Ishar once formed a part of the political boundary between Judaea and Samaria. Although it seems to the present writer that there can be no question about the southern limits of the natural section, which is included herein, under the name of the Samaritan Hills ; yet it should be observed that only a qualified political significance is to be attached to it. It is not intended here to enter upon the question of the political limits of Samaria in former times.