Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/59

43 NAHR EL 'AITJA. 43

At Shebtin, another winding valley falls in from sources between Bir ez Zeit and Batn Harasheh (alt. 2,490 feet). This valley is further bounded on the south by Janiah (alt. 1,813 feet), Eas Kerker, Khurbetha Ibn Harith, and Deir el Khuddis (alt. 1,264 feet). Below Shebtin, the Wady takes the name of Wady en Natuf, bends round to the south-west, and reaches the foot of N'alin. The village is 860 feet, and the wady below is 500 feet above the sea. West of N'alin, the Wady en Natuf is joined by the Wady Malakeh, a con- siderable affluent from the southernmost part of the Shellal system. The Wady Malakeh has several important branches, as follows : (1) The Wady Hands is a permanent stream derived from fountains on the north of Earn Allah (alt. 2,850 feet), and joined by branches from the waterparting between Bireh and Abu Kush. (2) The Wady Kelb has a parallel course on the south of Wady Hamis, and also comes from Earn Allah ; these unite between Janiah and Deir Ibzia, and take the name of Wady Dilbeh, which lower down is Wady Shamy. The Wady Dilbeh or Shamy passes Kefr Namah (alt. 1,483 feet), and Bel'ain, and enters the Wady Malakeh, which at the same point receives (3) the Wady Ain 'Arik from the west of Earn Allah. The Wady Ain 'Arik is the recipient of (4) the Wady el Imeish, which runs parallel with the Jaffa-Jerusalem road, and after receiving the Wady es Sunt from Beitunia, passes the Beth Horons, on its way to the junction with Wady Ain 'Arik. Where the Wady Malakeh receives the Wady Shamy and the Wady Ain 'Arik, the Wady el Muslih (5) also falls in, from Lower Beth Horon and Suffa. From this confluence (alt. 713 feet) the Wady Malakeh finally proceeds by Shilta to Midieh, and the junction with Wady en Natuf on the west of Nalin. Below the confluence the single channel of Wady esh Shellal runs westward to join Wady Ludd.

Tlie Watercourses of Wady Ludd.

Two branches unite on the eastern side of the town of Ludd. The western branch is the Wady Harir, which