202 THE HOLY LAND. 
CHAP, which snow only exhibits when it is very deep; 
V -v- '' a striking spectacle in such a climate, where 
the beholder, seeking protection from a burning 
sun, almost believes the firmament to be on 
fire '. The elevated plains upon the mountainous 
territory beyond the northern extremity of the 
Lake are still called by a name, in Arabic, 
which signifies " the Wilderness.'' To this wil- 
derness it was that John, the prsecursor of the 
Messiah, retired, and also Jesus himself, in 
their earliest years. To the south-west, at the 
distance only of twelve miles, we beheld Mount 
Thabdr, having a conical form, and standing 
quite insular, upon the northern side of the 
wide plains oi Esdraehn. The mountain whence 
this superb view was presented, consists en- 
tirely of limestone; the prevailing constituent of 
all the mountains in Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, 
Phoenicia, and Palcrstine^. 
(1) The thermometer of Fahreyiheil at this time, in the most shady 
situation we could find, indicated 102| degrees. 
(2) The enterprising; Burckhardt, of whom, it is to he hoped, the 
Literary world will hear more hereafter, is now travelling, under the 
auspices of the African Society, in Syria, previous to his journey into 
the interior of Africa. He has lately visited the summit of Lihanus, 
and informs the author (by a letter dated Aleppo, May 3, 181 1) that 
it consists wholly of limestone. He observed a fossil shell upon the 
top of that mountain ; but it principally consists of " primitive 
hmesto7ie." 
