The Jebel Haouran is much less extensive than the Jebel Ajelun. It extends from 32° 25' to 33° N. let., but no part probably is more than 12 miles across. It is surrounded by plains, which are lower than the base on which the mountains rise ; though the cold of the winter proves that they are at a considerable elevation above the sea. The mountain region is covered with several ridges running in different directions. The highest part of the mountain-system is near 32° 40' N. let, where the Keith Haouran, a summit in the form of a cone, rises considerably above the lower ridge on which it stands. It is wooded on the north and west, but bare on the east and south ; and this observation applies to the whole mountain-region. In its present state only the northern and western base of this region are inhabited and cultivated, and cotton and tobacco are extensively grown. Wheat, barley, dhurra, and beans aro cultivated. The wood with which the mountains are clothed is only stunted oak. In the mountains there are extensive pasture-grounds, even where there are no trees, and a great number of uninhabited villages and towns occur, tho houses of which are geuerally in a tolerable state of preservation. East of the Jebel Haonran is the Syrian desert.
Central Syria extends from 33° 10' to 31° 40' N. lat. Within its limits are Libanus and Antilibanua and the southern and highest portion of the northern valley. To the east of the Antilibauus is the elevated plain of Damascus.
I. Mount Libanus, called by the natives Jebel Libnan, constitutes a continuous range of mountains, which begins a little south of 33' 20' N. lat, and, running to the east of north, terminates near 31° 40' N. 1st., with a ridge of hills called Jebel Share. The northeru portion of the range is called Jurd (that is Jebel) Baalbec, and the southern Jebel As the higher part of the range is destitute of trees, it Is considered that its average elevation above the sea must be at least 8000 feet. The highest part of it oocurs between 10' and 31' 15' N. lat., and is called Jebel Makmel. It rises to more than 12,000 feet above the sea-level, and is covered with snow all the year round. The highest part of the road, which passes over the range to the east and north of the Jebel Makmel, is 7590 feet above the sea. This range of mountains, with its declivities extending east ward and westward, varies between 12 and 18 miles in width in a straight line, of which extent less than oue-fourth lies on the east side of the highest crest, so that on this aide the declivity is much steeper than on the west, where its offsets generally approach the shores of the Mediterranean and in a few places, as north of Beyrut and at Itas-el-Shakka, come close to the water's edge. On both sides
of the range a terrace occurs somewhat about the middle of its height, which divides the Upper and Lower Libanus. The Upper Libauua usually presents only steep declivities, either entirely bare, or clothed with a scanty vegetation, but a few spots have a fine growth of grass, and in summer they are used as pasture-ground by the mountaineer Arabs who visit this place. The level ground which separates the Upper Libanus from the Lower is also generally without trees, but always covered with shrubs and grass. It contains small groves of cedars, not far from the northern base of Jebel Makmel, more than 6000 feet above the sea-level.
The Lower Libanus, to the west of the range, is one of the most interesting countries in Aids. That part of it. which extends from Beyrut (33' 50' N. lat.) to Tambloos (34° 25' N. lat.) is called Kea rawan the most southern part of which is entirely in possession of the De i aronites.' The Kearawan is very well watered. The water.
courses however lie in very narrow and deep valley; the sides of which rise with a steep ascent several hnodrod feet above the narrow level at the bottom. As these water-courses are very numerous, the ridges between the valleys are very narrow, and there is no level on their tops. The valleys, even where widest, never exceed a mile in breadth; but every cultivable spot is turned to account. The inhabit ants build terraces on the declivities of the mountains to obtain a space of level ground, and to prevent the earth from being swept down by the winter rains, and at the same time to retain the water requisite for the irrigation of their crops. On these terraces and in the level spots of the valleys there are orchards, mulberry-planta tions, vineyards, and fields of dhurra and other grain. The silk which is collected in these places is not inferior to any In Europe, and constitutes the principal article of commerce. The lower ranges and hills, with which the offseta of the Libanua terminate, are covered with plantations of olive-trees, but the narrow plain along the shores of the sea Is generally not cultivated, except at. the very base of the hills. There are however some small groves of date-treea The higher parts of the ridges which separate the valleys are generally wooded with fir-trees.
The eastern declivity of Mount Libanus differs greatly from the western. It is furrowed by ravine; in which the water descends only during the rains. This part of the Lower Libanus is covered with low oak-tree& On the narrow level plain which divides the Lower Libanus from the higher part of the range are some cultivated spots; other spottien planted with walnut-trees. Higher op the mountain is Iraq steep, and vegetation scanty.