itself is limpid and sparkling, with a copious stream of sweet water. The thermometer 
stood in it at 81° Fahrenheit. The borders of the stream are covered with a thicket, 
flourishing luxuriantly. The botany of the spot is interesting. Among the trees, are 
the Seyal, producing the Gum Arabic; the thorny Nubk, or Lote Tree, bearing a small 
fruit like a thorn-apple, much enjoyed by the common people; the Fustak, or Pistacia, 
a large tree, with long and beautiful clusters of white blossoms (but which Robinson 
imagines to be the El-Henna, the “ camphire” of our translation of the Bible (Lawsonia 
inermis, Linn.), for which this region was anciently celebrated!; and, most singular of them 
all, the Osher, or Apple of Sodom. Among the shrubs is the Egg-piant Nightshade 
(Solanum Melongena); and the Hubeibeh, whose ashes are called El-Kuli (Alkali), 
apparently one of the numerous species of Salsola. 1 
In the foreground is the pass leading to the Monastery of St. Saba. The Dead Sea 
is in the distance. 
1 Biblical Researches, ii. 210. 
BEIT JIBRIN, OR ELEUTHEROPOLIS. 
In the fourth century, Eleutheropolis is mentioned as an episcopal city of importance, 
and regarded as a central point in Southern Palestine. It was then the metropolis of 
the surrounding region. The names of five of its Bishops are found in the records of 
Councils from that of Nicma (a.d. 325) to that of Jerusalem (a.d. 53G). Epiphanius 
was called a native of the city, from having been born in the neighbourhood. In the 
seventh century, the name appears to have been corrupted to Eliotropolis. In a.d. 796 the 
region was laid waste by a civil war among the Saracens, and Eleutheropolis converted into 
a desert. The ancient name of Betogabra (later Heb. Beth Gabriel, or Beth Gebrin) was 
revived. The Crusaders in the twelfth century found the city in ruins; but from its com¬ 
manding position, they raised a fortress on the site, to repel the Saracen attacks from 
Askelon, distant about twenty-six Roman miles. The defence was intrusted to the 
Knights Hospitallers. 1 
Robinson visited the ruins on his way from Jerusalem to Gaza. He found along 
the road in the vicinity traces of ancient walls. The village itself contains foundations 
more massy and extensive than any other in Palestine, except those of Jerusalem and 
the ILaram at Hebron. They are evidently the remains of a fortress of great strength; 
rows of strong arches are visible along the circuit. The Artist regards the chief part of 
these works as of Roman origin. The surrounding country is rich with olive-plantations, 
some of them bearing marks of great antiquity. 2 
Biblical Researches, ii. 359, 404, &c. 
2 Roberts’s Journal, 
