244 MAJOR-GENERAL SIR CHARLES WILSON, K.C.M.G., K.C.B., F.RB.S., 
in the Bible. In the first place there are the downs of the 
plateau, which are called “the plain country” or JlLishor. 
The downs form an almost ideal pastoral country, and Moab, 
as we know, was celebrated for its large flocks of sheep and 
goats. The basalt tracts, which I have mentioned, are 
exceedingly rich and productive. Nearly everything can 
be grown in them, and they are called the Sadeh 
Moab, that is, the “ Field,” or cultivated districts of Moab. 
3eyond the downs is the desert, which during the rainy 
season, and for a short time afterwards, is covered with 
sufficient desert vegetation to give food for camels and the 
flocks and herds of the Bedawin. This is the Midbar or 
wilderness of the Bible. These three districts are common 
to Moab and Edom; but the whole country is now 
little cultivated. No better land for the growth of wheat 
and barley could be found than that in some of the districts, 
and since the Turkish occupation small areas have been 
brought under cultivation and have given rich returns. 
Wherever there is water, as at Kerak, Tufileh, Elji and 
M‘aan, the olive, fig, poraegranate, and vine thrive well. 
The kingdom of Moab at one period extended north- 
ward to Mount Gilead and included that part of the Jordan 
vailey which lies opposite Jericho and is called Arboth 
Moab or the “plains of Moab.” ‘The Moabites were driven 
south of the Arnon by the Amorites, and that river was 
their boundary when the Israelites entered Palestine. The 
divisions of the country are clearly marked by its physical 
features, The northern boundary of Moab is the Wady 
Mojib, or Arnon, a very deep valley, almost a cation, which 
it is difficult to cross. The descent from the north is a very 
rough one of about 1,860 feet, and the ascent on the south 
side is about 2,040 feet. Formerly it took a day to cross 
this ravine ; but since the Turks have made a mule-track it 
can be crossed in from four to five hours with comparative ease. 
The southern boundary is the Wady el-Hesi, which in its 
eastern portion has a fine stream that is probably the Brook 
Zered of the Bible. This ravine, which is more deeply cut 
than, but not so difficult to cross as, the Arnon, separated 
Moab from Edom. South of Wady el-Hesi is the district 
of Jebeil, which corresponds to Gebal, a place mentioned 
only once in the Bible (Psalm lxxxii, 7). This district is 
separated from Edom proper by a remarkable break in the 
hills above the Arabah which I have ventured to call the 
“Shobek Gap.” Edom proper is separated from Midian 
