sunset gun from the citadel at Jerusalem, could be seen, and, partly on that account, they had chosen the spot for their encampment. Besides this attraction, there was water near, and pasture for their flocks, and dwarf oak-trees, and resinous shrubs and thorns, which they cut down for fuel. The gum-cistus flourished there, and was covered with wide open, delicate blossoms, white, pink, and lilac, which fell off when the flowers were gathered, and fluttered away in the breeze like butterflies.
We remounted and went by another route toward Urtâs, making our way along narrow wadys, and crossing ridges, where tall hollyhocks and the hibiscus abounded. Presently we came to a hill on which there were extensive and interesting ruins. We dismounted and scrambled up among rocks, hewed stones, and thistles, and thorn-bushes, which grew on the ancient terraces. When we reached the plateau on the top of the hill, Mr. Finn, who had previously explored the place, pointed out to us the foundation of a very large building, divided into compartments. The walls had been broken down, but in some parts they stood four feet high. They were built of very large, well beveled blocks of stone, not joined together with mortar, but the interstices were filled up with finely-crushed stones. The ground was strewed with tesseræ about three-quarters of an inch square, with which all the inclosed spaces had evidently been paved.
From the style of the masonry and the general outline, Mr. Finn judged that this was a good example of Jewish workmanship of an early period, and as ancient as any existing in the country. The buildings must have covered a large space, and were apparently all connected with the central and principal one. The Arabs call this ruin the "Dar el Benât"—that is, the house or "retreat of girls;" but they have no tale to tell about it. There is no historical notice or tradition of any Christian convent having existed here at any time; and there is not the slightest indication of Christian art in the general ground-plan.
