Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/38

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22
THE MEDITERRANEAN WATERSHED.

seven miles, but, in consequence of a bold projection of the Jordan basin westward, the length along the dividing line is about 12 miles. The only altitudes observed on this line are at its extremities in Jebel Heider (alt. 3,440) and Ras Hazweh (alt. 1,781 feet). The heights of Jebel el Kummaneh and Jebel 'Abhariyeh are desiderata.

The southern waterparting of Nahr N'amein runs altogether with that of Nahr el Mukutt'a. The only altitude observed on this line is at Jebel ed Deidebeh (alt. 1,781 feet). Between Ras Hazweh and Khurbet Jefât,the parting runs from east to west; from Khurbet Jefât it takes a south-western course till it closes on the permanent stream of Wady el Melek on the south of Shefa 'Amr; and from thence it proceeds northwestward to the Bay of Acre.

The greatest width of this basin is about ten miles north to south, through Shefa 'Amr; and its greatest length is about 19 miles.

Its principal channel is the Wady el Halztin, called also higher up, Wady Sh'aib. It isthe recipient of two head-waters which come respectively from Jebel Heider on the north-east, and Ras Hazweh on the south-east. Another affluent is Wady esh Shaghûr which joins it from el Baneh on the north. It has several tributaries along its left bank or from the south, among which the chief are the Wady el Balât which passes Kâbûl; and a smaller one rising near Tumrah and passing er Rueis.

North of Wady el Halzûn, is Wady el Waziyeh, which, with the affluent of the Halzûin rising near el Baneh, successively defines the southern base of the mountain range between Upper and Lower Galilee. These wadys are traversed by the principal route between Acre, Safed, and the noted passage of the Jordan at Jisr Benat Yakûb.

South of Wady Halzûn, is the Wady 'Abellîn, which rises on the west of Kh. Jefât, passes Kaukab and Kh. 'Abellîn and falls into the swamp of Nahr N'amein. Parallel with Wady Abellîn on the south-west, are three small wadys, of which the first descends from 'Abellîn; the second comes from Tell Saraj Alauneh and passes Shefa 'Amr; while