482 GEOLOGY. [1848. 



In regard to the geology of the surrounding country, the 

 general formation of the Libanus ranges is said to be car- 

 boniferdus and mountain-limestone, and the higher parts seem 

 to consist of graiiwacke, slate, and other transition rocks. 

 At the southern extremity of the lake, and on its eastern 

 shore, basalt, and igneous rocks of different kinds, are abun- 

 dant. The limestone is very porous, and easily affected by 

 air or water. It abounds in fossil remains, and is rapidly worn 

 into hollows and caves, which have been formed into sepul- 

 chres, and in ancient days were the hiding places of the Jews 

 and Christians. The soil of the slopes and terraces, and the 

 valleys and ravines, consists mainly of the decomposed debris 

 and detritus washed down from the mountains. It is usually 

 quite productive ; and were proper encouragement given to 

 the husbandman, or the requisite attention bestowed on the 

 cultivation of the ground, abundant crops would be obtained. 

 But agriculture is now in a languishing state, and the imple- 

 ments of husbandry are of the rudest description. Acts of 

 oppression, of lawlessness and violence, are of frequent occur- 

 rence ; and the poor fellah who plants his field of corn or 

 dhoura (millet,) or a patch of wild peas, (kersenna,) for his 

 camels, esteems himself quite fortunate if his crops are not 

 reaped by the rapacious Turk, or the wandering Bedawi. 



In itself, the Sea of Galilee is by no means a striking feat- 

 ure in the scenery of Palestine ; but there is scarce a moun- 

 tain or a rock, a town or a ruin, a tree or a shrub along its 

 shores, but is vocal with its scripture legend. Upon its west- 

 ern borders, in the city of Capernaum, dwelt Jesus himself. 

 On its verdant banks, fringed with the scarlet anemone, the 

 yellow marigold, and the pink oleander, he called his disciples, 

 and made them " fishers of men." Here is the Mount of 

 Beatitudes, upon whose summit he delivered that noble sermon 

 which contains the whole duty of man. Here he performed 

 the miracle of the loaves and fishes ; here he healed the tick 

 and cleansed those who were diseased ; and here he preached 

 the gospel of mercy and love. In yonder field, now covered 

 with the growing corn, the famishing disciples fed themselves 



