THE SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. 159 



the silk produced by the silkworms which feed on these 

 trees is said to be " of the very finest quality." All around 

 Tripoli too we find orchards of white Mulberry-trees, Pome- 

 granates, Orange- and Lemon-trees, "which bear fruit of 

 the greatest beauty." Here even in the middle of winter 

 the Orange-trees are covered with fruit and flower at the 

 same time, and the Banana is flourishing in the plain, whilst 

 the distant summits of Lebanon are covered with snow. 



In the account which travellers give of the trees on the 

 mountains of Syria, we may trace almost all the different 

 regions marked out by Meyen, which we may conclude, are 

 found at different elevations : we hear, for instance, of Eigs, 

 Myrtles, Laurels, Box and Yew trees, of Oaks and Pines. 

 But where are the Cedars of Lebanon ? Alas ! for the glory 

 of Lebanon is departed ; and now amongst the crags of the 

 rocks four or five Cedars only remain, of sufficient import- 

 ance to attract our notice. 



In this favoured land the fruits of the most distant climes 

 might be produced under proper cultivation. It is rich in 

 corn of various kinds, including Maize and Rice; the Su- 

 gar-cane too is found to flourish there; and besides the 

 fruits already often mentioned, Citrons and Water-melons 

 may be added to the list. The Cactus on which the 



