296 PROPESSOE G. E. POST, M,D. 



Midhat Pacha had nothing to do with the Lebanon in any way, and could 

 not have in any way influenced tree-planting. As for Rustem Pacha, whom 

 the writer knows intimately, and upon whom he" urged most earnestly the 

 importance of this subject, he frequently expressed his regret that he had no 

 power to replant the mountains with trees, owing to the vested rights of the 

 shepherds, who would not yield a jot of their privileges. Cyprus has suffered 

 in the same way. A forester appointed by the British government is now 

 making arrangements to begin the work of restoration. There, as here, the 

 goats are the great hindrance. But for them, the forests wolild in many 

 places extend by natural processes, but as they nibble the seedlings, no tree 

 can grow where they are allowed to pasture. 



4. The moisture of different parts of Syria and Palestine differs greatly. 

 The sea-coast plain is loaded with moisture. Steel instruments soon rust 

 out in Beirut and other coast cities. The maritime slopes of Lebanon and 

 its continuous ranges north and south are liable to be wrapped in clouds, 

 which makes the air at such times damp. At other times the mountain air 

 is drv. The air of the table-lands is drv and stimulating to the nerves. 



