Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/96

80 80 THE JOKDAN WATEESHED.

the same name. At the lower end of the same part, a wady descends from a pass (Nukb el Arais) which facilitates com- munication with Wady el Bukeia, and divides Jebel Tammun. from the heights of Jurein, Homsah, and Kharrubeh. These heights are broken and precipitous, more so than those on the opposite bank, which although terminating in cliffs along the course of the river, descend to them by broader slopes. The cliffs on both sides of the stream distinguish the central part. The Kurawa receives all its notable affluents from the right bank, including Wady ez Zeit, Wady Jabr, Wady el Khur- zeleiyeh, and the Talat el Kurein from Kurn Surtubeh. Below the Kurawa, the Wady Far'ah takes the name of Wady el Jozeleh, which has been already noticed.

Dr. Kobinson remarks that the Wady Far 'ah (Fari'a) is "justly regarded as one of the most fertile and valuable regions of Palestine," "Bib. Kes." iii, 304 Being subject to the nomadic Mas'udy Arabs, it is without villages, except on the western margin of the basin. But it abounds with pastures and cornfields, and supports large herds of cattle and quan- tities of goats. "Nowhere in Palestine had I seen such noble brooks of water," exclaims Dr. Eobinson ; and Mons. Guerin expatiates on the delicious shade of gigantic fig trees, the magnificent shrubs and beauteous oleanders, which line the banks of the streams, Guerin, " Samarie " i, 258. "A most delightful place," "knee-deep in beautiful flowers," "this charming valley," are among the praises heaped upon Wady Far'ah by Lieutenant Conder, " Tent Work " ii, 57.

Important roads intersect Wady Far'ah in various direc- tions. The great north road from Jerusalem to Nazareth, Beisan, the Sea of Galilee, and the regions beyond, cross the western head of the basin in it^ widest part. Several main highways to Gilead and the east of the Jordan coming from Tubas, Sannur, Yasid, Tulluza, and Nablus, meet in the Wady Far'ah, and then pursue a common route to the Jordan at the ford of Damieh ; various cross tracts will also be found on the map.

As " Abram passed through the land unto the place of