SYlllxV, OR EGVITIAN ASIA. 913 



great size of the clusters. The bay-tree of Scripture is the sweet bay {Lauras nubijis)^ a 

 small evergreen. The almond-tree, on account of its white blossoms, is used to typify old Jige. 



\ 



Cedars of Lebanon. 



5. Divisions. Syria, or Sham, comprising Palestine in the southwest, was divided, while 

 It formed a part of the Ottoman empire, into 4 paclialics or eyalets ; Aleppo, Damascus, Acre, 

 and Tripoli, bearing the names of their respective capitals. 



6. Towns. Jlleppo^ the capital of Syria, and its suburbs, are 7 miles in compass, standing 

 on S small hills, on the highest of which the citadel is erected, but of no great strength. An old 

 wall, and a broad ditch, now in many places turned into gardens, surround the city, which was 

 estimated by the late Dr. Russell to contain 230,000 inhabitants, of whom 30,000 were Chris- 

 tians and 5,000 Jews ; but, at present, it does not contain more than 150,000. Whole streets 

 are uninhabited, and bazars abandoned. It is furnished with most of the conveniences of life 

 except good water, within the walls, and even that is supplied by an aqueduct, distant about 

 4 miles, said to have been erected by the empress Helena. The streets are narrow, but well 

 paved with large, square stones, and are kept very clean. The gardens are pleasa>il, being laid 



115 



