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size, with the exception of Ceylon and some parts of the Andes, could the 
typical flora and fauna of so many distinct regions and zones he brought into 
such close juxta-position as in Palestine. It contains four regions distin- 
guished by difference of climate, and necessarily different productions. 
1st. In the lowest depression along the valley of the Jordan the tempera- 
ture is from 70° to 80°. 2ndly. On the plains 500 feet high the tem- 
perature varies from 65° to 70°. 3rdly. On the table-lands, from 2,000 to 
3,000 feet high, the temperature is from 55° to 63°. 4thly. On the moun- 
tains of the Lebanon, from 4,000 to 10,000 feet high, the average temperature 
is about 35°. Hence it will be observed the country must have been capable 
of producing all the productions of the world, from the tropics to the 
Alpine regions. The Lebanon ranges are never free from snow. These 
mountains were over-shadowed with fir and oak trees, and in the valleys below 
grew magnificent cedars, the latter being tropical trees. The ostrich 
approached the southern borders. Animals of different climes met in Pales- 
tine ; but the lions, leopards and panthers have long since disappeared. The 
lion is a tropical animal. Formerly lions infested Samaria, and frequently 
attacked the inhabitants. Mr. Warington refers to the killing of a lion in 
the snow, but seems to forget that the lion was a tropical animal. The palm- 
tree is a very characteristic tropical plant, and is much esteemed for its 
various productions. Now, the palm-tree and the balsam-tree were two 
peculiar trees of Judea, The groves of palms were tall and beautiful, and 
abounded in Judea. Jericho was also celebrated for its palm groves, so that 
it was termed “the city of palm-trees.” Even Bethany was called “the 
house of dates.” At the time of our Saviour there were palm-trees near 
Jerusalem, as we are told in the Gospel of St. John : “ The people 
took branches of palms, and went forth to meet him.” Such a rich 
display of palm-trees is only seen under a tropical sun. The palm 
groves have long disappeared from Palestine. The vineyards of Pales- 
tine at the present time are not very remarkable for their products. In 
the days of Moses the vines in the valleys were very prolific, producing 
several crops of ripe grapes during the year. These continuous crops can only 
be obtained under a tropical sun. “ Be ye of good courage, and bring of the 
fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes. And 
they came into the brook of Eschol, and cut down from thence a branch with 
one cluster of grapes, and they bore it between two upon a staff.” “As to 
the ripe fruit, let them carry that which is ripe first of all into the temple.” 
In the tropics several crops of ripe grapes are obtained from the same vine 
within the year. The country bordering the lake of Gennesareth was formerly 
very remarkable for its varied productions. J osephus states “ there are palm- 
trees also, which grow best in hot air ; fig-trees also and olives grow near 
them. One may call this place the ambition of nature : it is a happy conten- 
tion of the seasons, as if every one of these plants laid claim to this country. 
It not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expecta- 
tion, but preserves them a great while ; it supplies men with the principal 
fruits, with grapes and figs continually during ten months of the year , and 
