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in regard to pronunciation now, as was formerly associated with that par- 
ticular word. I should also like to ask whether Dr. Porter thinks there is 
any trace of the old inhabitants on the other side of the Dead Sea. We 
can hardly suppose that the difference of pronunciation arises from mere 
geographical causes ; can Dr. Porter say whether there is any trace of the 
two tribes formerly existing on the two banks of the Jordan ? 
Dr. Porter. — That is a most interesting problem, and by no means the 
least interesting of those which presented themselves when I was travelling, 
as I have done repeatedly through that country. It is a fact which I have 
followed through past history down to the present time, that there has 
been and is a marked distinction between the people who inhabit the 
eastern bank of the Jordan, and those who reside on the western — a dis- 
tinction that is seen in their habits — those on the eastern side generally 
living in tents, and following the pursuit of shepherds ; while there is also, 
and has been from the earliest times, a marked distinction in their dress. 
Those on the east of the Jordan wear the agyl, a fillet of camel’s hair bound 
round the handkerchief which covers the head, and this is not found in the 
west. Prom the earliest period down to the present day, as is noticed in 
the case of the word “ Shibboleth,” there has been a marked difference in 
pronunciation. I could mention familiar Arabic words which resemble 
“ Sibboleth ” and “ Shibboleth.” There is the word kalb , which signifies 
“heart,” which they pronounce differently on the eastern and western 
sides of the Jordan. There are a number of other words, especially 
sibilant words, in which there is a similar difference of pronunciation. I can 
only account for this by saying that there has been a regular succession of 
people inhabiting the eastern and western sections of the country, and that 
these have in each case transmitted their peculiarities of dress, habits, modes 
of life, and accent, from ancient down to modern times. Of course, in 
the earliest historic period there was the Phoenician language, which was 
closely allied with the Hebrew, and that was followed by the Hebrew 
under the Jews. The Hebrew was in turn followed by the Arabic, which 
is a cognate language, and almost identical in its roots w'ith the Hebrew. 
Mr. Engstrom. — Do I understand that the northern part of the Dead Sea 
is supposed to have come to be a sea at the time of the destruction of Sodom 
and Gomorrah, or is it supposed that it was there anterior to the time of 
Abraham and Lot ? 
Dr. Porter. — I am not aware that any one supposes that the northern 
section of the Dead Sea was ever anything else than a sea. 
Mr. Engstrom. — It could not conceivably have been the crater of a 
volcano ? 
Dr. Porter. — Not in historic times. 
The Chairman. — In closing this meeting I have to thank Dr. Porter for a 
most interesting evening. 
The meeting was then adjourned. 
