2U 
distinction often has reference to the important subject of 
natural lateral communication through the highlands of the 
country. The definition of the limits of the basins also enables 
the main water-parting to be distinguished, and thus the 
whole of the region belonging to the western side of the 
Jordan is made visible upon the Map, apart from the Medi- 
terranean slope or watershed. Three intermediate basins are 
also brought to light which have no superficial outfall. By 
this analytical process every part of the country is referable to 
its proper natural division, and then it becomes a simple 
matter to subdivide the larger natural divisions or basins in 
accordance with the water-partings and outlets of their main 
channels and principal branches. Thus, the most intricate 
combination of valleys is rendered intelligible, and a thorough 
knowledge of the country becomes practicable to perseverance. 
The next step in this inquiry relates to the hill- shading on 
the Map. It occupies the space between many of the water 
courses, and indicates the undulations of the surface, espe- 
cially distinguishing the mountains and hills from the plains 
and valleys. The significance of the shading is often aided by 
the insertion of the actual altitude of the locality above the 
sea; but in the Jordan valley, instead of altitudes above, there 
are depressions below the sea. A right representation and 
understanding of the hill-shading will be found of essential 
value with reference to points of Biblical geography that have 
hitherto eluded research, and to some of which attention will 
be presently drawn. 
There remain to be noticed the works of man upon the 
natural surface, indicated by stamps and symbols to denote 
the position of towns, villages, and ruined sites, cisterns, 
monuments, and various objects, together with the lines of 
communication or roads and tracks between them. It was to 
these points and lines that the attention of the old geographers 
was mainly given. They estimated or measured the distances 
from place to place along the lines of road, but anything like 
a complete delineation of the entire surface of the ground was 
beyond their conceptions. Thus, whenever a town ceased to 
exist, and the roads became diverted from it, there was but 
little prospect of its site being remembered after a lapse of 
ages, or of being again recovered when once forgotten. But, 
with the larger Map now exhibited, we may turn to the ancient 
record, and bring it to bear upon the various features named 
and unnamed that still exist upon the surface of the ground, 
and are here accurately and adequately indicated ; and then 
we may proceed to inquire how far it is possible to identify 
one with another. 
