Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/95

79 WADY FAR' AH. 70

fifteen miles, which by the winding of the river is increased to not less than eighteen miles. The fall from Yasid to the sea-level-point in Wady Far'ah, is therefore about 264 feet per mile, or exactly one in twenty ; while the fall from the same point to the Jordan is only about 77 feet per mile or about one in sixty-eight.

The Wady Far'ah below the junction of its head waters, presents three natural divisions of about equal length, accord- ing to the variation of its landscape. In the uppermost part, the river flows through a beautiful basin of meadow land with the stream flowing in the midst bordered by oleanders.

In the central part the river descends chiefly amidst precipitous rocks, which here separate its bed from the fertile slopes above. Towards the lower end of this part, on the right bank, occurs a beautiful tract which descends to the river bank, where it is covered with oleanders. It is called el Fersh, and by Dr. Eobinson " Fersh el Musa/' " Bib. Res." iii, 304. On the left bank are the ruins of an ancient town now named Buseiliyeh, visited by Van de Velde, Guerin, and the Surveyors of the Palestine Exploration Fund. The central part is terminated by the projection of a spur of the hills on the north, met by precipitous rocks on the south, which close in upon the river, and reduce its passageway to a narrow gorge, which is remarkable for its caverns and the colour of its rocks.

The lowest part begins below the gorge, and spreading out over the marshes of the Kurawa, extends to the Ghor. Van de Velde describes the Kurawa as a " well watered and richly wooded oasis, with luxuriant fields and gardens, and oleander-bordered brooks." It is the principal encampment of the Mas 'udy Arabs. Euins only now remain of mills and houses, where once stood the city of Archelaus.

But few affluents from either side occur in the upper and central parts of the valley, of sufficient importance to call for special notice. At the higher end of the upper part, and on the left bank, the Shab esh Shinar descends very obliquely from the northern slope of Jebel Tammun and the village of