'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.' [‎522] (611/905)

522
EMESSA.
[CHAP. XX.
the whole country lying eastward of the Jordan and southward
of the capital. The remainder of the Pashalik is the extensive
tract spreading northward and north-eastward of El Gutha,
or Syria of Damascus; to the westward of which was the
little kingdom of Aram Maachah, stretching north-eastward
along the slopes of Anti-Lebanon. Some distance farther in
Emessa, or the latter direction is ancient Emessa, now Hums, situated in
Hums ■ a vast plain of great fertility, at the distance of less than a mile
from the right bank of the O routes, and probably containing
upwards of 25,000 inhabitants. The walls have a circum
ference of nearly three miles, including the ruins of the castle,
which occupies a conical mound towards the southern extremity
of the city; the latter, on the whole, has an imposing appear
ance, being surrounded with vast cemeteries looking like ex
tensive suburbs.
Town and North-westward of Hums was the ancient kingdom of
plain of Ha- w itliin its limits are the towns of Jisr Shugher,
also Seleuco Belus, already mentioned (page 411), Famieh
(Apamea) on the opposite side, with fine pasture around; and
the capital itself, all in the valley of the Orontes. Hamath,
the ancient Epiphania, is situated in the centre of a fine plain
on both sides of the river Orontes, which is here crossed by
four bridges. There are several mosques, many good houses,
showing, however, a mean exterior, and nearly 35,000 in
habitants. Water is raised by means of hydraulic wheels with
earthen buckets, similar to those in use along the Euphrates.
The plain just mentioned extends westward from the Orontes
to the wilderness of Tadmor. The western part of the latter
has a good arable soil, occasionally fertilized by a stream ; and
besides the ruins of many villages, it contains some ancient
places which are still inhabited; such are Agontufa and
Mamouthie, the latter being remarkable for a pretty minareh;
also the extensive village of Rahabah, Atania with its salt
lake, the cluster of hamlets called Jerood; and, finally,
Kariateen, probably Kir Jathain. 1 This is a walled town of
considerable size, and is well built; it occupies both sides of an
1 1 Chron., chap. VI., v. 61.