The mountain region of the Belka, the ancient Ruben, still abound ing in pastures and woodlands, extends from the river Modjeb on the south to that of Zerka on the north, or from 31° 30' to 32° 20' N. lat. Its width between the Dead Sea and the Ohor on the west, and the Iladji road on the east, rather exceeds 40 miles. The eastern district, or that contiguous to the Hadji road, is little elevated Above the road, and constitutes a barren sandy or rocky plain, most parts of which are interspersed with numerous low and Isolated hills. Towards the north the plain has a chalky or clayey soil, and is covered with a rich verdure in winter. The western districts consist of a succession of ridges and deep valley. opening into the Dead Sea or tho Ghor. The ridges occupy a much larger space than the valley; and are generally level on the top. In a few places however high hills rise above them. The upper part of the ridges is bare of trees, and gene rally covered with flints. The narrow valleys between them are always wooded at the bottom, and sometimes on their declivities.
The northern district, or the country north of 32° N. lat., is an extensive mountain MASS, whose highest part is in the middle of the tract, and is called Jebel Jelaad (Gilead). This higher ridge extends about ten miles from east to west, and near its most elevated summit, Jebel Osha, is what. is called the tomb of the prophet Hose; which Is a place of pilgrimage for Turks and Christians. This mountainous country is almost entirely covered with high trees; oak, wild pistachio trees, and many others not known in Europe. In scenery it rteiembles a European country. It has numerous springs and small rivers; some of the rivers ran underground, as the mountains consist of limestone. On the southern declivity of this tract, and in the vicinity of the town of Szalt, are the only tracts in the Belka which are under regular cultivation, though some other places are occasionally sown with dhurra by the wandering Beduins. The numerous and extensive ruins show that cultivation was formerly carried on here to a great extent, and probably has been discontinued on account of the frequent incursions of the nomadic tribes who live to the east. At present the Belka is considered the beat pasture-ground in Southern Syria; and the most powerful tribes of the Beduins are frequently at war with one another for the possession of this region. Wheat., barley, and dhurra are cultivated. The vineyards are extensive near Szalt. Sumach and soda are collected. The climate of the Belka is as pleasant as that of the Shera, and the winters are as cold.
10. The Haoursn is to the east of the Ghor. Along the valley It extends from 32° 21' to 32° 45' N. lat., but where it borders on the
Syrian desert, which lies between it and the valley of the Euphrates, it advances as far north as ar N. lat. It consists of two mountain regions, the Jebel Ajelun on the west, and the Jebel Haouran on the east, and a plain which lies between the mountain-regions.
The Jebel Ajelun extends about 30 miles south and north, and about as many east and west It is the most mountainous district of Southern Syria, and the best cultivated to the east of the southern valley. The highest part of the mountains Is towards the south, north of the river Zerka (the ancient Jabbok), where the mountains of Blocrad and of Jebel Ajelan rise much above the Jebel Jelaad of the Belka. The whole surface is a succession of mountain masses and valleys, and the valleys are rather large : the region is abundantly watered by streams, which either originate in this region or traverse it in its width, flowing from the plain of Haouran to the Jordan. Wheat and barley are extensively cultivated In all the lower grounds, and in some places on terraces made on the declivity of the moun tains. There are numerous plantations of olives and vines. The orchards contain pomegranates, figs, lemons, oranges, and other fruit trees. Every kind of vegetable is grown. The climate of the valleys in very hot in summer. The thermometer rises to 100° in the shade. The sides of the mountains are chiefly covered with wood, consisting of oak, wild pistachio, walnut-trees, and several kinds not found in Europe.
The Plain of the Haouran, which extends east of the Jebel Ajelun, is a level, the northern part of which is frequently interrupted by Isolated hills, which however are leas numerous towards the south, and at last disappear entirely. These southern districts have a very sandy soil, and are almost uninhabited. But the northern districts have a soil consisting of a fine black earth, which possesses a con siderable degree of fertility, but is very little cultivated. A village is built at the foot or on the declivity of almost every bill, but very few of them are inhabited. It frequently happens that these habitations are taken possession of by some wandering peasant for a abort time.
The Haouran peasants do not fix themselves in one place : they wander from one village to another, and they find commodious dwel lings in the ancient deserted houses. They are chiefly induced to change by the exactions of the Beduin tribes, who are considered the true proprietors of the plain. During the winter the plain produces excellent pasture for the herds of the Beduins. There are no trees. The cold in December and January is severe.