CHAPTER YL 



THE ARABIAN PENINSULA ; PALESTINE ; AND SYRIA. 



PORTION of the Arabian peninsula lies in the 

 North Temperate Zone. 



The central part is a table-land of moderate 

 elevation, as yet but imperfectly explored. 

 To the south extends a Tropical desert of burning sands ; 

 to the north a hilly and even mountainous region is 

 intersected by beautiful valleys, blooming with palm- 

 groves, bright with streams, and capable of successful cul- 

 tivation. 



Leaving the Arabian peninsula, we enter upon the lower 

 levels of the Syrian Desert, which is broken up by several 

 low ridges of limestone. Beyond lies Syria proper, divided 

 by the famous Lebanon mountain-range into tAvo narrow 

 plains or valleys. The Lebanons are connected with the 

 snow-clad Taurus by the well- wooded mountain-isthmus of 

 Gawoor, the ancient Amanus, which is absolutely impass- 

 able except through the two historic defiles of the Amania 

 and Syrian Gates. 



The name "Lebanon" signifies white; and was given 

 either in allusion to the snow which whitens the mountain- 



