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similar to the slime of the Nile, and is covered with 
the richest and finest vegetation, but there is not a single 
river in all the district, there is not even a spring; all 
the torrents I crossed were dry, and the inhabitants 
have no other water to drink than that which they col- 
lect in the rainy season, nor any other means of irriga- 
tion than rain water, and that of the wells, which indeed 
is very good. Such was the cause of the frequent 
famines which are recorded in history to have happen- 
ed in this country, A territory in which there is no 
spring and no river to bring to it the waters of other 
countries, and whose subsistence depends absolutely 
upon the local rains, is necessarily exposed to a scarcity, 
when this blessing from heaven fails, or is insufficient. 
It is worthy of remark that all the inhabited places 
which I have seen in Arabia, are situated in valleys or 
hollows; and on the contrary, all the towns and villages 
in Palestine, are built upon hills or heights. This differ- 
ence may be attributed to the scarcity of the rains in 
Arabia, and their abundance in Palestine. 
In Syria the traveller perceives at stated distances on 
the road small reservoirs or large vases, filled with water, 
having beside it a pot for the use of the passengers 
when thirsty. These monuments are owing to pious 
foundations, in favour of travellers, but the greater part 
are falling into ruins, and piety no longer interferes for 
their preservation. Game abounds in Palestine; par- 
tridges are found in large coveys so fat and heavy, that 
no other weapon than a stick is requisite to take them. 
But at the same time we meet with a frightful number 
of lizards, different kinds of serpents, vipers, scorpions, 
and other venomous insects. One of my servants was 
bitten in the finger, but as he could not tell me by what 
reptile, I could not consequently apply the proper 
