'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.' [‎503] (592/905)

chap. xx.]
jebel es szaffa.
503
by Katana, then north-eastward by Maddharnie, and again a
little north of east, till it terminates as before mentioned. The
other and larger stream rises on the slope of Jebel Heisch,
from whence, with a full stream, it flows to the north-east,
passing El Kessue, and winding onward through undulating
and usually bare hills, into the Barrada, a little below the
former. The lake in which these and the former streams
terminate, spreads eastward for about 9 miles, with an average
width of nearly two miles; the other streams in this district
being of inferior size, it will be best to notice them in
describing the country southward.
This tract, the ancient Persea, in the largest sense, contains Extent of Jebel
Belad-el-Belka on the south, Jebel Ajlun, El Kura, &c., on es Szaffa '
the west, Belad Haouran and four rocky districts to the north,
of which the most distant is Jebel es Szaffa. The latter ex
tends from Jebel Haouran northward to the plain of Damascus
in the form of a parallelogram of about 20 miles in length
by six miles in width; and, being without springs, it has no
other supply of water than that of ponds and cisterns, which
are filled during the rainy seasons. The centre of this district
consists of an extensive plain, two days' journey in circuit,
enclosed by a ridge of volcanic rocks, generally forming irre
gular masses of broken ledges heaped together; amongst which,
however, are small patches of pasture, and occasionally a little
cultivation. The entrance into this singular tract is through
a narrow pass between high perpendicular cliffs, called El Bab
es Szaffa, which is about two yards wide. 1
On the eastern slopes is the tract called El Rohba, which ei Rohba.
contains some ruined villages ; and at the western side there is
another tract named El Harra, to indicate the nature of its
surface, which is covered with small-sized stones.
Stretching along the south-western side are the plain and ei Lowa.
valley of El Lowa, both watered by a river of the same name.
The latter rises on the south-western slope of Tell Schiehan,
and flows northward by the ruined town of Om Ezzeitun,
which is partially occupied by about forty families of Druses.
1 Burckhardt's Travels in Syria, pp. 93, 661.