also the concentric layers which denote concretionary forma tion.* It is hardly possible to have more striking proof of coincidence, as to the origin of such a structure in the two substances.t

After we had passed Turan, a small plantation of olives afforded us a temporary shelter: and without this, the heat was greater than we could have endured. Having rested an hour, taking coffee and smoking as usual with the Arabs of our party, we continued our journey. The earth was covered with such a variety of thistles, that a complete collection of them would be a valuable acquisition in botany. A plant, which we mistook for the Jerusalem artichoke, was seen everywhere, with a purple head, rising to the height of five or six feet. The scorching rays of the sun put it out of our power to collect specimens of all these: not one of the party had sufficient resolution to descend from his horse, and abandon his umbrella, even for an instant. We distinctly perceived that several of those plants had not hitherto been described by any traveller; and in the examination of the scanty but interesting selection which, with excessive fatigue and difficulty, we made along this route, not less than six new species have been discovered. Of these, the

*"J'en ai plusieur échantillons, ou l'on voit, quand on les regarde contre le jour par une de leurs extremitiés, des hexagones concentriques. qu'on distingue quelquefois jusque vers le centre du prisme: ces hoxagones sont formes par les lames qui ne sont appliquées successivement à chacune de ces faces." Hist. Nat. des Min. tom. ii. p. 31.

The mineralogical reader may add to this a remarkable fact, recently communicated to the author by the Rev. James Lambert, of Trinity College, Cambridge. The radiating pillars upon the coast of St. Andrews', in Scotland, bearing the name o the spindle rock, is nothing more than a spheroidal mass, which has occupied an orbicu. lar cavity, after the manner wherein zeolite is exhibited in porous aggregates; and it is crystallized in prisms diverging from a common centre, like the minuter radiating fibres of zeolite, carbonated lime, &c. &c. in amygdaloidal rocks. The author has witnessed a similar appearance, upon as large a scale, in the isle of Canna, in the Hebrides. The magnitude of certain phænomena of crystallization sometimes leads the mind to doubt the nature of the process whence they have resulted Saussure's polished mountain, near St. Bernard in the Alps, is an instance of this kind. We are at no loss to explain the cause of lustre on one of the lateral planes of a small crystal, but cannot so readily conceive that the side of a mountain may have been thus modified.

The reader will find only the new species described here.

A new species of Heliotrope, which we have called HELIOTROPIUM HIRSUTUX. This was found near Cana. Heliotropium foliis lato-ova' is, plicatis, integerrimis, pilis depressis hirsutis: spicis subsolitariis, pilis patulis hirsutissimis. Planta humilis ramosa; rami patentes, hirsuti. Folia petiolata vix pollicaria; petioli semi-poilicares. Spice unilaterales pedunculata. 2 ad 3. pollices longe. Flores pedicellati serie simplici dispositi. Calyces hirsutissimi. "Corollæ tubus colyace dimidio longior, pubescens.

Rami

11. A non descript species of Larkspur, which we have called DELPHINIUM INCANIUM, found near the same place. Delphinium nectariis diphyllis foliolis emarginatis obtusis; corollis pentapetalis, capsulis solitariis, foliis multipartitis. flexuosi, divaricati, supra velloso incani. Folia pubescentia multipartita, laciniis Jineari lanceolatis. Flores subracemosi, pauci Pedunculi bracteati, crassi, villosi; bracteæ subulatæ. Petala nectario longiora unguiculata, obtusa. Calcar, corollâ longius, curvatum. Capsula ovato-elliptica pubesceus, stylo purIII. Near Cana we also found a non descript cottony species of origanum, which we

sistente coronata.

new globe thistle, which we have named ECHINOPS GRANDIFLORA, made a most superb appearance: it grew to such a size, that some of its blossoms were near three inches in diameter, forming a sphere equal in bulk to the largest fruit of the pomegranate. Its leaves and stem, while living, exhibited a dark but vivid sky blue colour. The description in the note is taken from its appearance in a dried state. The Persian manna plant, or hedysarum alhagi, which we had collected between Acre and Nazareth, also flourished here abundantly. This thorny vegetable is said to be the favourite food of the camel :* it is found wild, in Syria, Palæstine, Persia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Georgia, and the islands of Tenos, Syra, and Cyprus. Tournefort, who considered it as a plant sui generis, has given a description of it, in his account of the Island of Syra.t Rauwolf, who discovered it in 1537, in the vicinity of Aleppo, and in Persia, often mentious it in his travels. As we

have called ORIGANUM PESTITUM. Origanum foliis subcardato-ovatis, petiolatis, integerrimis, utrinque tomentosis mollissimis spicis subrotundo-ovatis, peduncuJatis, compactis tomentosis subternis caule suffruticoso. Planta ramosa, tomen toso incana. Folia nervosa quinque lineas longa, sæpius reflexa Spice breves valde tomentosa, basi constipatæ, subternæ. Calyx bilabiatus obovatus, fauce lanuginosus. Corolla gracilis, glanduloso-punctata. Stylo exserta. Stigmata reflexa. IV. A shrubby non-descript species of Globe Thistle, which we have called ECHINOPS GRANDIFLORA. Echinops caule suffrutescente scabro, foliis bipinnatis supra scabris, subtus tomentosis, laciniis perangustis; capitulis globosis pedunculatis amplis. Caulis sulcatus fuscus, subflexuosus. Folia subtus albida, mollissima, supra sordide virentia, hispida; laciniæ lineari subulatæ. Capitulatae. Capitula pollices quos cum dimidio seu tres diametro, coerulei. Florum pedicelli papposi. Squammae calycinae exteriores imbricatae lanceolato subulatae, infra medium integerrinae; supra contractae dentato ciliatae acutissimae: squama intima brevior tubulata, quinquefida, apicibus laciniatis. Corollae limbus tubo brevior quinquepartitus laciniis sublinearibus. Stigmata reflexa. Semina hirsuta, coronata; corona striata, ciliata submembranacea.

V. A non-descript species of Aira, with the outer valve of the coralla three-awned, and the flowers in a close panicle as in the Aira pubescens. We have called it AIRA TRIARISTATA. Aira paniculâ spiciformi, oblonga; corollæ valvâ exteriore calyce nervoso dimidio breviore, triaristata; vaginis foliorum ventricosis, amplissimis. This is a dwarf species,th the leafy culms often shorter than the oblong heads of the flowers. Both the leaves and their sheaths are deeply striated, and downy. The flowers are set very close together in the panicles, which vary, from about an inch and a half to two and a half inches in length. The glumes of the calyx are of a linear-lanceolate shape, deeply furrowed, and downy. The inner valve of the corolla is slenderer and shorter than the outer vale, slightly notched at the end, and without awns; the two lateral awns of the outer valve are about the length of the calyx; the central one, a third part longer. VI. A non descript shrubby species of cistus, with rough alternate leaves, about two thirds of their length distant from each other on the branches. We have called it CISTUS OLIGOPHYLLUS. Cistus stipulatus. fruticosus, foliis alternis ovatolanceolatis, enerviis, integerrimis, scabris, pilosis, margine revolutis; pedunculis unifioris: calycis foliolis inæqualibus, hirsutis. Fruticulus ramosus, rami flexuosi, graciles, supra villosi Folia petiolata, patentia, lineas quatuor longa. Petioli brevissimi, pilosi. Calycis foliola inæqualia duo angusta, tria quadruplo latiora, nervosa. Corolla flava.

Forskal's Flora, p. 136.

+ Voyage du Levant, tom. II. p. 4. Lyons, 1717.

1 See pp. 84 152. 206. Lond 1693. Also, the end of Mr. Ray's Collection of Travels, Stirpium Orientalium rariorum Catalogus." ALHAGI MAUKORUM.

vadanced, our journey led through an open campaign country, until, upon our right, the guides showed us the Mount where it is believed that Christ preached to his disciples that memorable sermon,* concentrating the sum and substance of every Christian virtue. We left our route to visit this elevated spot; and having attained the highest point of it, a view was presented, which, for its grandeur, independently of the interest excited by the different objects contained in it, has no parallel in the Holy Land.†

From this situation we perceived that the plain, over which we had been so long riding, was itself very elevated. Far beneath appeared other plains, one lower than the other, in that regular gradation concerning which observations were recently made, and extending to the surface of the Sea of Tiberias, or Sea of Galilee.t This immense lake. almost equal, in the grandeur of its appearance, to that of Geneva, spreads its waters over all the lower territory, extending from the northeast toward the southwest, and then bearing east of us. § I's eastern shores present a sublime scene of mountains, extending toward the north and south, and seeming to close it in at either extremity; both toward Chorazin. where the Jordan enters; and the AULON, or campus magnus, through which it flows to the Dead Sea. The cultivated plains reaching to its borders, which we

*Matthew, ch. v. vi vii.

†This hill is called Kern el-Hutin in Pococke's Travels, signifying "the Horns of Hutin." there being a mount at the east and west end of it; and so called from the village below, which he writes Hutin, We wrote it, as it was pronounced, Hatli, Pococke has enumerated the objects he beheld from this spot, in a note to p. 67. part 1. of the second volume of his Description of the East. To the southwest I saw Jebel Sejar. extending to Sephor: Elmiham was mentioned to the south of it: I saw the tops of Carmel, then Jebel Turan, near the plain of Zabulon, which extends to Jabel Hutin. Beginning at the northwest, and going to the northeast, I saw Jebel Egermick, about which they named to me these places. Sekeenen, Elbany, Sejour, Nah, Rameh, Mogor, Orady Trenon, Kobresiad; and further east, on other hills, Meirom Tokin on a hill, and Noues directly noth of Hulin is Saphet and to the east of the hill on which that city stands, Kan Tehar and Kan Eminie were mentioned; and to the north of the Sea of Tiberias I saw Jabel esheik."

"Mare appellatur; Gililre, quia in Galilæâ provinciâ; mare Tiberiadis, â civitate Tiberiadis; mare Cenereth, ab oppido Cenereth, cui successit Tiberias; stagnum Genezareth. vel lacus Genezar, à propinquâ regione Genezar.” Quaresmii Elucid Terr. Sanct. 1. vii. c. 3. p. 862. tom. 11. Antv. 1369.) Called always a sea," says Fuller, by three of the evangelists, but generally a lake by St Luke. Indeed, amongst lakes it may be accounted for a sea, such the greatness amongst seas, reputed for a lake, such the sweetness and freshness of the water therein." Fuller's Pisgahsight of Palastine, B. II. c. 6. p. 140. Lond. 1650,

Its various names are cited in the preceding note St. Luke calls it the Lake of Gennesareth and this agrees with Pliny's appellation, who, speaking of the Riser Jordan, (Hist. Nat. lib. v. c. 15. L. Bat. 1635) uses these words: In lacum se fundit, quem plures Genesarem vacant xvi. mill pass. longitudinis, vi. mill pass. latitudinis, amanis circumseptum oppidis." He also notices the hot springs of Emmaus, near Tiberias. Josephus (lib. iii. de Bell. Jud. c. 18.) gives it the same name as Pliny; which it derived from the appellation of the neighbouring district. (Ibid.) As to its dimensions, Josephus, (ibid.) than whom, says Reland, nemo melius ea scire potuil," describes its length as equal to an hundred (Hegesippus, as 140) stadia; and its breadth as forty. Its distance from the Lake Asphalites is seventy-five miles.

beheld at au amazing depth below our view, resembled, by the various hues their different produce exhibited, the motley pattern of a vast carpet.* To the north appeared snowy summits, towering, beyond a series of intervening mountains with uaspeakable greatness. We considered them as the sunimits of Libanus; but the Arabs belonging to our caravan called the principal eminence Jebel el Sich, saying it was near Damascus; probably, therefore, a part of the chain of Libanus. This summit was so lofty, that the snow entirely covered the upper part of it; not lying in patches, as I have seen it, during summer, upon the tops of very elevated mountains, (for instance,

that of Ben Nevis in Scotland,) but investing all the higher part with that perfect white and smooth velvet-like appearance which snow only exhibits when it is very deep; a striking spectacle in such a climate, where the beholder, seeking protection from a burning sun, almost considers the firmament to be on fire. The elevated plains upon the mountainous territory beyond the northern extremity of the lake are still called by a name, in Arabic, which signifies "the wilderness." To this wilderness it was that John, the precursor of the Messiah, and also Jesus himself, retired in their earliest years. To the southwest, at the distance only of twelve miles, we beheld Mount Thabor, having a conical form, and standing quite insular, upon the northern side of the wide plains of Esdraelon. The mountain whence this superb view was presented, consists entirely of limestone; the prevailing constituent of all the mountains in Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Phoenicia and Palæstine.‡

By a steep, devious, and difficult track, following our horses on foot, we descended from this place to the village of Hatti, situated at one extremity of the cultivated plain we had surveyed from the heights. Here, having collected the strag

* The exceeding fertility of this part of the Holy Land is noticed by all travellers, and all authors who have mentioned this country. Josephus speaks of the extraordinary aptitude, both of the climate and soil, toward the production of all kinds of fruit and vegetables; so that plants, requiring elsewhere a difference of temperature, thrive here, says he, as if the seasons were in a competition which should contribute most. Figs and grapes continue in season during ten months out of the twelve, and other fruit throughout the whole year. (Vid. Joseph de Bell. Jud. lib. iii. c. 18.)

The thermometer of Fahrenheit at this time, in the most shady situation we could find, indicated 102 1-2 degrees.

The enterprising BURKHARDT, of whom, it is to be hoped, the literary world will hear more hereafter, is now travelling, under the auspices of the African Society. in Syria, previous to his journey into the interior of Africa. He has lately visited the summit of Libanus, and informs the author (by a letter dated Aleppo, May 3, 1811) that it consists wholly of limestone. He observed a fossil shell upon the top of that mountain; but it principally consists of primitive limestone." { Called Hulin by Pococke. Descript. of the East, vol. II. part 1. p. 67.

glers of our party into a large plantation of lime and lemon trees, we were regaled by the Arabs with all their country afforded. Having spread mats for us beneath the shade which the trees afforded, they came and seated themselves among us, gazing, with very natural surprise, at their strange guests. Some of these Arabs were Druses. In the countries which border the seat of their government, they are much esteemed for their great probity, and a mildness of disposition, which, in Syria, is proverbially attributed to the members of their community. It is said, they will neither eat nor drink, except of the food which they have obtained by their own labour, or, as the Arabs literally expressed it, "by the sweat of their brow." From the conversation we had with them, they seemed to be entirely ignorant of their origin. When strangers question them upon this subject, they relate numberless contradictory fables; and some of these have found their way into books of travels: but their history, as it was said before, remains to be developed. It seems probable, that, long before El Dursi* established among his followers those opinions which at present characterize the majority of the Druses, the people, as a distinct race, inhabited the country where they now live. The worship of Venus (in whose magnificent temple at Byblus in Phoenicia the rites of Adonis were celebrated) still existing in that country; and the extraordinary fact of the preservation of an ancient Egyption superstition, in the honours paid to a calf, in Mount Libanus, by those Druses who assume the name of OKKALS;§ are documents which refer to a more ancient period in history than the schism of the Arabs after the death of Mahomet. To that mildness of character, which is so characteristic of the Druses, may be attributed both the mixture caused among them by individuals of different nations, who have sought refuge in their territory, and the readiness

*See Egmont and Heyman's Travels, vol. i. p. 293. Lond. 1759.

See note, p. 246. of this volume.

"And fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf; and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel." Exod. xxxii. 4 (1)

"From this we may conclude, with reason, that the Druzes have no religion: yet one class of them must be excepted, whose religious customs are very peculiar. Those who compose it, are, to the rest of the nation, what the initiated were to the profane; they assume the name of okkals, which means spiritualists, and hestow on the vulgar the epithet of djahel, or ignorant; they have various degrees of initiation, the highest orders of which require celibacy." Volney's Trav. vol. ii. p. 59. See the account given by Volney, vol. ii. sect. 3. p. 33.

(1) A curious representation of one of these figures, rudely formed, and covered with inscriptions, was communicated to Dr. Henley, by the late Cardinal BORGIA, from the original in his museum.