"كتيّب سوريا (بما في ذلك فلسطين). لندن: إدارة استخبارات الأركان البحرية، يونيو ١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٩‎٣] (٧٣٨/٣٩١)

380 LEBANON, ANTI-LEBANON, DAMASCUS PLAIN
Opposite Nahleh, where a ravine cuts deeply into the moun
tain side, the range is composed of three distinct ridges,
which merge toward the N. That on the W. is the lowest.
The central ridge here appears rising over the former, gradually
increasing in altitude as it runs NE. until it overtops the
others. The eastern ridge is the loftiest of all toward the S.,
but it decreases from this point onward. Just above the
village of Qa‘ the western flank is intersected by a deep
vavine between which and another ravine above Jusiyeh, there
is a recess ; northward, spurs project again into the plain.
The northern end of J. Sharqi falls rapidly to the plain, but
about three miles from its termination it is intersected by
a singular pass which completely isolates the northern group
of hills. So straight is this pass that from Ribleh a sight
can be taken right through it to a point about two miles N.
of Hasya.
There is considerable fertility in the neighbourhood of
Bludan. The lower part of the Bludan valley is laid out
in vineyards and orchards ; higher up, the cornfields are
watered by numerous small streams issuing from the slopes.
About a mile N. of Bludan there is a band of pure sandstone
and a fine spring ‘Ain ed-Danleh, one of several mineral
springs forming little streams. Near by is ‘Ain es-Sareimeh,
one of the few places where igneous rock is found and, farther
N., at Merjet ‘Ain en-Nusur there are some 20 springs. The
upper section of the Bludan valley is walled on the E. by
a continuous line of heights which here form the crest of the
chain. In succession northward the highest peaks are Tell
Tallajah Ibn Hallawi, J. esh-Sheqlf, alt. 6,850 ft., and Tell
Ukhyar (?), alt. 7,795 ft .; some distance farther on is J. Abu
el-Hin, alt. 8,330 ft., and, still farther northward, Harf Ram
’l-Kabsh, alt. 7,810 ft. Beyond, there is very little vegetation,
but juniper trees are common.
In the ridges beyond J. Abu ’1-HTn there is sandstone
alternating with lime in detached blocks and wheat and
tobacco grow in sheltered places. Here, growth extends
to heights of 6,000 or 7,000 ft., but wheat is stunted. The