THE SOUTHERN SAMARITAN HILLS. 225
low hills, and the Ghor, to join the Jordan, where that river is 1,200 feet below the sea.
It has been already stated that the eastern extremity of this section, displays a remarkable contrast in its natural features, to the corresponding part on the north. The ranges of twelve miles in length, with the fine open valleys on the north, here give way to mere spurs and ravines, corrugating the face of an abrupt slope, of three or four miles in length, and rising within that distance, to about 2,500 feet above the depressed Ghor. This abrupt transition is explained by another contrast arising from the sudden projection of the main waterparting towards the east, for as much as six miles, a phenomenon which takes place between Jebel et Tor (Mount Gerizim), and the summit of et Tawanik (alt. 2,847 feet).
The eastward advance of the waterparting, terminates above the Wady Samieh, where the southern limit of this section has been drawn. The recession of the waterparting to the westward, is marked by the occurrence of a curious feature, which has been brought to light by the survey. It is the small basin with no outfall, named Merj Sia, about a mile and a half in length and breadth, and surrounded by eminences rising from 2,510 feet to 2,835 feet. Besides the change in the direction of the waterparting, other features also serve to distinguish this eastern side of the southern part of the Samaritan Hills, and the highland that follows it on the south. The distinction in that direction, will be found in the account which will follow in its place, no less striking than the contrast already displayed between it and the northern part.
Amid the great contraction of the width of the Jordan Slope in this section, the elevated lateral valleys to which attention has been directed, from Mount Gilboa southward continue to be found. Next to the high Plain of Salim, a valley commences at the southern foot of et Tawanik (alt. 2,847 feet) and continues to skirt the main waterparting as
far south as Mejdel-beni-Fadl (alt. 2,146 feet). Its length
