'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎465] (550/905)

chap. XIX.]
THE DRUSE MOUNTAINS.
465
masses of bare limestone rock, with villages and cultivated
terraces occasionally hanging on their sides, and having now
and then on their narrow crests a large convent, such as Mar
Elias, or a more extensive pile of building, occupied by one of
the Emirs of the district.
Advancing northward into Schaff, in the territory of the Features of the
Druses, the mountains assume that bolder character which sXff y about
has been sketched in describing this part of the Lebanon
mountains. 1 In some places huge masses rise abruptly from
the edge of the sea, whilst in others they gradually recede
from it, showing peak above peak, and forming in certain
places rocky basins or amphitheatres, on whose sides are vil
lages and cultivated terraces shaded by lofty pines or cedars,
with, not unfrequently, a convent or monastery above, over
looking the whole.
Towards the interior, the slopes of Jebel Riehan, and the Features about
neighbouring part of the Lebanon, are generally formed by a Jebel Rielian '
succession of hogs'-back ridges, separated by deep gorges or
ravines, with walnut-trees on the lower slopes; and about
midway are villages and hamlets surrounded with terraces, on
which are grown cotton and hemp, besides grapes, olives, mul
berries, and other fruits: higher up are forests of pine; and
on the summit a profusion of myrtle, with usually a village,
adjoining which is either a convent or an Emir's serai. But
occasionally the scenery is of a higher cast—a deep and wide
gorge terminating in an amphitheatre of valleys and ridges,
studded with villages. From the ruined Ionic temple at
Deir-el-Kul'ah, for instance, the view presents a great amphi
theatre covered with terraces, amidst which 45 Druse villages
may be counted in addition to Mar Kana, and several other
convents, with the serais of Ras-el-Mittan; beyond these is
Jebel Riehan, with the snow-clad peaks and furrowed sides of
Jebel Sanin.
No sooner has one narrow, ridge in this singular country
been gained than another valley or amphitheatre appears
teeming, like the preceding, with villages, to reach some of
vol. x.
See above, page 388.
3 o