309 
world for animal subsistence. The Arabs bring hither 
vegetables; and the fire- wood, which is obtained from 
the gardens and plantations, is common and cheap; there 
is none brought from the forests by reason of their 
distance. 
CHAPTER XX. 
Waters of Damascus.— Lake Hhotaibe. — Christians. — Commerce.— Products.— 
Climate. — Breeds of Horses. — Costumes. — Women. — Health. — -Schools. — 
Public Festivals.— Government. — Fortifications. — Bedouins or Aaaze. — Sa- 
lakhie. 
Water is so abundant at Damascus, that every 
house has several fountains. Those which are construct, 
ed upon the public roads are only used for watering the 
streets. These waters form a multitude of canals, the 
ramification of which is very curious; it was explained 
to me in the following manner: 
The waters of Damascus are furnished by two rivers, 
which, after uniting themselves together, divide into 
seven branches; by means of which, the distribution is 
effected to all the quarters of the city. 
The first river rises at the distance of eight hours 
journey westward from the city, in a desert place called 
Barrada by the moderns, and Arfana by the ancients. 
The spring is abundant, but the water is of a bad 
quality, and would not be drinkable if it were not mix- 
ed with that of the other river called Fichee, anciently 
called Farcana, which rises near a village of that name 
about five hours journey distant on the north of Damas- 
