TIBERIAS. 
habitable, on account of the multitude of ser- 
pents*. This has not been stated by any other 
author ; neither did any observation made by 
us upon the spot, with regard to the natural 
history of the country, serve to explain the 
origin of this misrepresentation ; the more 
remarkable, as it is affirmed by one who 
resided in the Holi/ Land^; and whose writings 
are frequently quoted by authors towards the 
end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the 
seventeenth centuries. Tiberias at present is Popuktion 
much inhabited ; principally by Jeius, who are 
said to be the descendants of families resident 
there in the time of our Saviour: they are 
perhaps a remnant of refugees who fled hither 
after the capture of Jerusalem by the Romans. 
The Christian inhabitants of this town are, 
however, also numerous : of this we were con- 
vinced, by the multitude we saw coming from 
the morning service of the church. 
(4) " Tiberias civitas omnitio inhahitabilis est, propter serpentuni 
multitudinem." lb. 
(5) He was superior of a monastery at Mount Sion in Jerrisalem, 
and afterwards advanced to an episcopal see in Italy. Vid. Qtiaresitt, 
Eluc. torn. I. tib. 5. c. 13. 
