Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/87

71 WADY KHASHMEH. WADY EL MALEII. 71

The Khashmeh barely touches the Mediterranean water- parting at Eas Ibsik, being almost wholly intercepted by Wady Shubash on the north, and by the heads of Wady Mukhnawy on the south. The watercourse seems to come to an end in the Ghor, without reaching a collection of five fountains, amidst the ruins named el Fatur, ed Deir 3 and Umm el Amdan, which unite in a single channel passing direct to the Jordan. There are wadys on either side of Khashmeh, but these only rise on the hillside skirting the Ghor.

THE BASIN OF WADY EL MALEH.

Between Eas Ibsik (alt. 2,404 feet) and Eas el Akra (alt, 2,230 feet), this basin is in contact with the northern arm of the Mefjir Basin. On the south of Mount Akra, it is divided from the tributaries of the Merj el Ghuruk, which has no outfall to the sea.

The northern boundary or waterparting extends from the confluence with the Jordan westward to the southern flanks of Eas Ibsik where it turns to the south-west, over Eas el Akra to a point east of Judeideh.

The southern boundary of the basin starts from its contact with Merj el Ghuruk, between Judeideh and Tubas> reaches Tubas (alt. 1,227 feet), runs south to ed Deir, then east to Eas Jadir (alt. 2,326 feet), and pursues the summit of this range to Kh. Umm el Kotn (alt; 342 feet) ; thence it passes eastward to Kh. Mofia (alt. 590 feet).

At Kh. Mofia, the eastern boundary commences, and runs north to Eas Umm Zokah (alt. 840 feet) continuing in the same direction to Tell Fass el Jemel, and onward until the range of hills bends round to the east, following the course of the Wady el Maleh up to the Jordan* Thus the basin forms an irregular triangle, with its faces towards the north, south- west and east, and its outfall at the north-east angle.

This basin is drained by three main branches, viz. (1) the Wady el Maleh, (2) the Wady Helweh, and (3) the Wady ed Duba.

The Wady el Maleh has its sources at the western extremity

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