Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/39

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nahr n'amein. nahr el mukutt'a.
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the third skirts the waterparting up to Jidru, and then falls with the others into the end of the N'amein Swamp. The N'amein basin forms the north-western part of Lower Galilee. The south-western part is the Basin of the Mukutt'a and the whole of the eastern part is in the Jordan basin. The delineation of this important part of the country has undergone great improvement from the Palestine Exploration Survey, especially along the line of communication between Acre, Safed, and the East. The Halzûn also is now found to proceed straight into the swamp, instead of making a great bend to the south to join the 'Abellîn, from which it is really quite separate. The relation of the plains of Rameh and Sukhnin, and the correct position of the confluence of their main channels is now made intelligible. The proper allocation of the Valley of Jipthah-el may now be discussed, with a knowledge of local conditions that leaves nothing to be desired.


The Basin of Nahr el Mukutt'a (Kishon).

"The great battle-field of Jewish History and the chief scene of Our Lord's ministrations," to use Dean Stanley's impressive words, are embraced in this basin and its counterslope. The defeats of Sisera, Saul, and Ahab; Elijah's conflict with the priests of Baal; the deadly wounding of King Josiah; the Saviour's home at Nazareth; the marriage at Cana of Galilee; the resurrection of the widow's son at Nain; all occurred here. The great plains of Esdraelon and the lesser plains of Buttauf and Toran, the mounts of Carmel and Gilboa, and the highlands of Nazareth, characterise the scene.

The northern boundary of the basin, dividing it from Nahr N'amein, and extending from the Bay of Acre, to Ras Hazweh has been already described. The eastern boundary reaches from Ras Hazweh along the waterparting of the Jordan to Tannin (alt. 1,460 feet). The direct distance is 30 miles; but following the windings the length is 50 miles. Several of the western affluents of the Jordan descend