v. 6). Jerusalem, in particular, from its great elevation, clear sky and invigorating atmosphere, should be a healthy place, and so it is generally esteemed ; but the plague frequently appears among its .ill-fed and uncleanly population ; and bilious fevers, the result of great and sudden vicissitudes of temperature, are more common than might be expected in such a situation. (Schu bert, Morgenland, io6; Olin, ii. 333; Robinson, ii. 96-Too; Kalthoff, Ilebr. Alterthum, co. 42-46; Bibliotheca Sacra, Feb. 1844, pp. 221-224.) 12. Inhabitants. Under this head we pre sent the reader with the following observations of Dr. Olin (Travels, ii, 438, 439) : "The inhab itants of Palestine are Arabs ; that is, they speak the Arabic, though, with slight exceptions, they are probably all descendants of the old in habitants of Syria. They are a fine, spirited race of men, and have given Mohammed Ali much trouble in subduing them, and still more in retain ing them in subjection. They are said to be in dustrious for Orientals, and to have the right ele ments for becoming, under better auspices, a civilized, intellectual nation. I believe, however, it will be found impracticable to raise any people to a respectable social and moral state under a Turkish or Egyptian, or any other Mohammedan government. The inherent vices of the religious system enter, and, from their unavoidable con-% nections must enter, so deeply into the political •administration that any reform in government or improvement in the people, beyond temporary alleviations of evils too pressing to be endured, cannot reasonably be expected. The Turks and Syrians are about the maximum of the civiliza tion possible to Mohammedans of the present time. The mercantile class is said to be little re spected, and generally to lack integrity. Veracity is held very lightly by all classes. The people are commonly temperate and frugal, which may be denominated Oriental virtues. Their situation, with regard to the physical means of comfort and subsistence, is, in many respects, favorable, and under a tolerable government would be al most unequaled. As it is, the Syrian peasant and his family fare much better than the laboring classes of Europe. The mildness of the climate, the abundance of land and its fertility, with the free and luxuriant pasturage that covers the mountains and the plains, render it nearly im possible that the peasant should not be well sup plied with bread, fruit, meat, and milk. The peo ple almost always appear well clothed. Their houses, too, though often of a slight construction and mean appearance, must be pronounced com modious when compared with the dark, crowded apartments usually occupied by the corresponding classes in Europe. Agricultural wages vary a good deal in different parts of the country, but I had reason to conclude that the average was not less than fourteen to eighteen cents per day." With all these advantages population is on the de cline, arising from polygamy, military conscrip tion, unequal and oppressive taxation, forced la bor, general insecurity of property, the discour agement of industry, and the plague.
13. Botany. (1) The Olive. The olive cer tainly was, and still continues to be, the chief of all the trees of Palestine, which seems to be its natural home. 'Never,' says Schubert, 'have 1 any where beheld such ancient olive trees as here. But the plantations might be more extensive, and the produce more profitable, were they tended by such careful and diligent hands as those of Provence. Excellent oil is obtained from the fruit.' (2) Figs. But although the pre-eminence among the trees of Palestine must be assigned to the olive, fig trees also occur in great num bers, and the plantations sometimes cover large tracts which the eye can scarcely embrace. This sight is most common in the neighborhood of Jabrut, in the hills between Bir and Sinjil. The
fruit has a peculiarly pleasant flavor, and an aromatic sweetness, but is generally smaller than that of Smyrna.
(3) Grapes. As to the vine, which is now only found in some districts of Palestine, it is not surpassed by any on earth for the strength of its juice, and—at least in the southern mountains— for the size and abundance of the grapes.
(4) Other Fruits. The first tree whose blossoms appear prior to the period of the latter rains, and open in the very deep valleys before the cold days of February set in, is the Luz or almond tree. In March the fruit trees are in blossom, among which are the apricot, the apple, and the pear.
(5) Flowers. In April the purple of the pome granate flowers combines with the white of the myrtle blossoms; and at the same period the roses of the country, and the variegated ladanes (Cis tus), the zukkiin tree (Elcragnits angustifolius), the storax tree, whose flowers resemble those of the German jasmine (Philadelphia coronarius), emit their fragrant odors.
(6) Trees. The palm-tree, the symbol of vic tory, has been removed from its place; and of the famous palm groves of Jericho very few traces now remain.
The tall cypress exists in Palestine only as cultivated by man, in gardens, in cemeteries, and other open places of towns. But as the spontaneous growth of the country, we find upon the heights and swelling hills the azarole (Cratregus ararolus), the walnut tree, the arbutus, or strawberry tree, the laurel tree, the laures tinus, Species of the pistachio and terebinth trees, of evergreen oaks, and of the rhanmus of the size of trees and shrubs, the cedrine juniper tree, and some sorts of thymelxus; while on the for merly wooded heights various kinds of pine trees, large and small, still maintain their ground. The sycamore, the carob trees, and the opuntia fig trees, are only found as objects of cultivation in or near towns; and orchards of orange and lemon trees occur chiefly in the neighborhood of Na bulus. (See SHECIIEM.) (7) Grains. The various kinds of grain grow spontaneously in great plenty in many districts, chiefly in the plains of Jezreel and the heights of Galilee, being the wild progeny of formerly cul tivated fields, and bearing testimony by their presence to the fitness of the soil for the pro duction of grain. In addition to wheat and bar ley, among this wild growth, the common rye was often seen. The present course of agriculture, which is but carelessly practiced, comprises nearly the sante kinds of grain which are grown in Egypt. Fields are seen covered with summer dhurah (Aural! gaydi), the common dhurah (dhurah sayfch ), and the autumnal dhurah (dhurah dimiri), all of which are varieties of the Holcus sorghum. Maize (kumh ), spelt, and bar ley (schayir), thrive everywhere; and rice (aria) is produced on the Upper Jordan and the marshy borders of the lake Merom. Upon the Jordan, near Jacob's bridge, may be seen fine tall speci mens of the papyrus reed.
(8) Vegetables. Of pulse the inhabitants grow the hommos or chick pea (Cicer arictanum), the fool or Egyptian bean (Vicia faba), the gishrun gayga (Phascolus Illunga), the gilban (Lathyrus satwus), together with the ads or lentil, and the or peas (Pisum arvense). Of esculent vegetables, the produce of the various species of hibiscus are nnich liked and cultivated. particu larly the bamia towileh (Hibiscus esculentus), the banzia beledi, or wayka (Hibiscus prayos). In some places the Christian inhabitants or Franks are endeavoring to introduce the potato, which the natives call kolkas Franschi. In the garden of the monasteries the kharschuf or artichoke is very common, as is also the khus or salad; in most districts, as about Nabulus (Shechem), the wa termelon (batikii) and cucumber (khiar) are common.