Page:An Introduction to the Survey of Western Palestine.djvu/61

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NAHR EL ’AUJA. NAHR RUBIN.
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branch falls in, which rises near Kuryet el Enab, takes the name of Wady el Hai, and receives the Wady Khushkush.

Lastly, about three miles east of el Kubab, the Selman receives a small wady from the east of Amwas.

At el Kubab, above the junction of the Selman, the 'Wady Atallah takes the name of Wady Aly, and rises on the southernmost portion of the waterparting of the el 'Auja, near the village of Saris (alt. 2,347 feet). South-west of Latron (alt. 800 feet), the Wady Aly receives a feeder from the margin of the basin which has several heads on either side of Beit Mahsir (alt. 1,790 feet). On the north, near Deir Eyub (alt. 1,070 feet), the Wady Aly receives the Wady Alakah skirted by the road to Kuryet el Enab. The direct road between Ramleh and Jerusalem follows Wady Aly; but if less circuitous it is more difficult than the route by Wady Selman.

Dr. Robinson was under the impression that a branch of this system originated in the rugged chasm on the north of Ram Allah, and issued from the mountain north of the lower Beth Horon; but here he was at a loss to say whether it proceeded to Beit Nuba, or went on directly west to Wady Ludd ("Phys. Geog.," p. 102). This misconception was corrected by Lieutenant Van de Velde; and further improvements were represented in the map of the Holy Land prepared under Dr. Grove for Dr. Wm. Smith's Ancient Atlas. But the difference between such approximations and the actual topography, as it is delineated in the new maps, can only be duly appreciated after a study of the maps, for which these notes may afford some preparation.


The Basin of Nahr Rubin.

Between Jaffa and the town of Yebna (bib. Jabneel), the Nahr Rubin enters the sea, near the Neby Rubin, from which the name is derived. The basin of Nahr Rubin, with its central wady, follows the curvature that characterises the waterparting which divides it from the Nahr el'Auja basin