Scientific Intelligence — Hydrography. 397 



dark course of the iinfatliomable ocean. — Voyage of Her Majesty's 

 Skip Fly, by J. B. Jukes, p. 10. 



16. Vale of Sharon. — But I must describe the Vale of Sliaron. 

 It is an immense meadow, extending from Mount Carmel to Joppa 

 on the coast, and bounded on the east by the great chain of barren- 

 looking hills, among which is situated the Holy City. It is an area 

 of perhaps twenty miles square, of beautiful rich lowlands, planted, 

 in many places, with olive and fig orchards, and grazing plats, upon 

 which herds of goats and cattle were browzing. In all this beauti- 

 ful valley there is not a single fence or wall, and the park-like effect 

 of the groves and valleys is very lovely. It struck mo that, in the 

 hands of skilful husbandmen, it might be a paradise. Several Arab 

 villages of brown mud cottages, with tall date-trees intermingling, 

 and ruins of ancient elegance, as arches of aqueducts, fountains, and 

 causeways, are scattered over the plain ; and huge reservoirs of 

 water, with convenient fountains for the traveller, are pleasant, 

 shady spots, which the lingering heat of the sun made exquisitely 

 welcome to us. There is no feature of eastern scenery so beautiful 

 as these fountains, generally of solid masonry, with arching domes, 

 and deep niches, huge stone-basins, and cool porticoes, with carved 

 stone-ottomans, upon which the weary pilgrim may freely repose 

 his limbs ; large carob-trees and thick shady figs spread their huge 

 limbs over the approaches, and the cool shade is dark and pleasant 

 from the garish sun. We had ridden six miles, when we arrived at 

 the second of these diamonds of the plain. We found a small cara- 

 van reclining under the trees; the camel-drivers were adjusting the 

 panniers, urging the patient beasts to lift their huge forms, and low, 

 melancholy cries were groaned forth as they rose under their bur- 

 dens. A herd of goats, probably two hundred in number, was also 

 just leaving the fountain to continue their way toward Jaffii ; and 

 the swarthy, half-naked herdsmen were occupied in keepinor the 

 flock together on the way. Arab women were drawing water, and 

 carried llebecca-looking jars on their heads. Several dismounted 

 Arabs reclined under the cool portico ; and the whole picture, in 

 architecture, costume, habits, and scene, was unchanged since 1800 

 years. Our Ai-ab guard came first along, and took their position a 

 little beyond the pools ; the officers came in turn, drew out their 

 drinking cups and flasks, and man and beasts took long and copious 

 draughts of the refreshing springs. This fountain has left delight- 

 ful impressions: it was a gay and joyous pausing place; and eyes 

 fond of pictures, and hearts fond of recollections, had ample occupa- 

 tion. — Shores of the Mediterranean^ by Schrveder, vol. i., p. 193. 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



17. Gradual Diminution of Temperature of the Air and the Sea 

 as we approach the Land. — This evening we observed a gradual di- 

 minution of the temperature of the air and tlie sea as wo approached 



