'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎515] (604/905)

CHAP. XX.]
EL BELKA.
515
sented by the remainder of the ruins from the high ground at
the eastern side of the town, from whence the irregularities of
the architecture are not conspicuous, may, as a whole, be
considered amongst the most striking in the world.
Bald-Belka 1 (country of Balak), Jebel-el-Belka, or Peraia Extent of ei
Proper, extends northward from the river Mojeb, or Arnon, Belka "
to the Zerka, or Zabok ; and, again, from the Dead Sea and
the valley of the Jordan, eastward to the Arabian desert; and
it probably represents the Land of Jazer. 2
This tract is mountainous, particularly towards its western Features,
side; and from hence the chain already described as forming
one side of the valley of the Jordan, sends its branches east
ward : to these succeed undulating ground, the hills gradually
decreasing in height till they are lost in the level of the plain
and desert at the eastern side of the territory.
Having the affluents of the Arnon to the south, those of streams,
the Zerka on the north, and in the centre the streams falling
into Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Shaib, Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Seir, and Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hasban, this tract
may be considered as well watered, except towards its eastern
limits, where cisterns become the principal resource of the
inhabitants. This part of the country consists of level pasture
tracts, which are almost exclusively occupied by the Bedawins.
Towards the centre are prettily rounded hills, with villages at
intervals; and from thence, almost t;o the Jordan, are low
mountains^ bearing forests of oak, olive, and arbutus, with
abundance of flowers, and constituting a pleasing landscape.
The modern towns of this district are few, and the ruins Modern towns,
less interesting than in other parts of Syria. Near its southern
limits is the town of Arair (Aroer), 3 situated above the Arnon:
two miles northward is Dhibon (Dibon) ; 4 and north-west
ward, near the borders of the Dead Sea, at the springs of
Hammam, Beth-horon. On the eastern side are Kal'-at-
Belka, or, according to the Bedawins, Kal'-at-Remeydan, on
the pilgrims' route; and, a little southward, Om-el-Rassass.
This place, which is supposed to occupy the site of ancient
1 Dr. Zunz on the Geography of Palestine, p. 411.
8 Numbers, chap. XXXII., v. 1. 3 Deut., chap. II., v. 36.
4 Burckhardt's Travels, p. 372.
3 u 2