Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/271

255 THE SHEPHELAH OR PHILISTIA. 255

the main range further west, a spur passes between Wady el Habur and Wady es Sukriyeh ; and between the latter and Wady en ISTeda, a broad slope descends to Khurbet Fattatah. Tell Ibdis caps the termination of the main range, which falls boldly to the plain northward from that summit between Arak el Menshiyeh and Khurbet el Jils.

V.

South of Wady el Hesy, the next dividing line is found in Wady esh Sheriah, and its upper course called Wady Khuweilfeh. Along the eastern margin of this extremity of the Shephelah, a range rises from the banks of Wady el Butm and Wady el Beiyarah, which extend between the plains of Aitun and Sabti. From the central points of the range at Kh. Jeimer (alt. 1,530 feet), a range proceeds north-westerly to Kh. Surrar, presenting an abrupt escarpment to form the left bank of Wady el Jizair or el Abd, and a long slope with tributary streams towards the left bank of Wady en Nas.

South of the Plain or Sahel es Sabti, a long range emanates from the waterparting between Wady el Hesy and Wady Ghuzzeh at Kh. Bureideh. On its summit on the south of Sabti is Kh. Z'ak (alt. 1,370 feet), followed by Jebel Abu Huteirish, and the Ard el Mak-huz, the termination being at Tell el Hesy. The only notable spurs on the north-east side of the range are near the Ard el Mak-huz. On the south-west side they occupy a considerable slope which descends to the Wady el Muleihah. The country is entirely pastoral with some ruins, but no existing villages.

The next range is part of the waterparting between the Wady el Hesy and Wady Ghuzzeh, beginning at Kh. Khuweil- feh and proceeding westward with bold curves to the maritime plain on the south of Gaza. It has been already traced.* Its northern side is closely followed for about six miles by the Wady Nuksar ; indeed so closely that the wady may almost be said to be on the summit. After that wady turns to the north-west, five spurs descend in succession to Wady el


 * See ante, pages 54, 55.