IV. Description. — 1. The natural features of the neigh- borhood are the two mountains Gerizim and Ebal, stand- ing in front of each other like two giants, with the little valley running between, and on the eastern side the noble plain of Mukhna stretching from north to south. The two nioinitains run in parallel ranges from east to west — I"2bal on the north and Gerizim (ui the south — and both reach an elevation of some 2500 feet above the level of the Mediterranean, and 800 feet above the val- ley itself. From the town to the eastern opening of the valley, a distance of about a mile and a half, where the two mountain ranges have their starting-points, and to which parts the names of Gerizim and Ebal are confined, both mountains rise immediately from the val- ley in steep and mostly precipitous declivities to the height stated; and both, as seen from the valley, are equally naked and sterile. But immediately behind the city, and there only, tierizim lias the advantage, owing to a copious stream that tlows through a small ravine at the west side of the town. Here are several orchards and gardens, producing abundantly. On Ebal also, op- posite the town, there are several gardens and cultivated plots— some old, but the majority of late planting — and all in a comparatively thriving condition , but these can never equal those on the Gerizim side on account of the deficiency of water. The valley itself stands at an ele- vation of some 1700 feet above the Mediterranean, run- ning from east to west, and extending from the eastern abutments of the two mountains as far as Sebustieh (Sa- maria) westward. A portion of this only belongs to our present notice, namely, from its eastern opening to the town of Nablfis, a distance of about a mile and a half. Its w^idth varies. At its commencement it measures somewhat more than half a mile; but near half-way to the town it contracts to about half that width. But as we proceed towards the city the mountains again re- cede, and the valley widens to its former width; but again, at the city, contracts to its narrowest dimension. It is hardly in any part a flat level, but rather a gradual slope of the two mountains, until they dovetail into each other. Just at the commencement of the valley, on either side, are Jacob's well and Joseph's tomb. (See below.) A little farther on, and near the centre of the valley, stands the hamlet Balata, the remains of a town of the same name mentioned by Parchi (Kapht va-Phe- rach), but of no historical importance. Near half-way up the valley is the highest ground, forming the water- shed between the valley of the .lordan and the Mediter- ranean. The valley thus far is almost without trees of any kind, but the part nearest the town is well wooded. The principal kind of tree is the olive, as it seems to have been in the days of Jotham (Judg. ix, 8). The town itself is surrounded by orchards and gardens, where figs, mulberries, grapes, almonds, oranges, apricots, and otiier fruit grow luxuriantly.
One of the great and peculiar features of this valley is the abundance of water. Dr. Rosen says that the in- habitants boast of the existence of not less than eighty springs of water within and around the city. He gives the names of twenty-seven of the principal of them. Within some two miles' radius from thirty to forty
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copious springs exist. But within the area now under notice they are more copious than nunierous. There is not a single spring on the Ebal side till we have passed the city for some distance. On the Gerizim side, out- side the city, there are three. The first, rising near the water-shed, dries up in summer. The next, 'Ain Dafiia (the A«(/)V/; of the Konian period of the cityj, a very large stream, issues out near the road and runs in an open channel past Jacob's well, turning a mill on its way, and emptying itself to water the plain. 'Ain Ba- lata, named from the little village whence it Hows, is the other, issuing from a suljterranean chamber sup- ported by three pillars, and suHiciently copious to sup- lily a large population. Within the city itself the l)rincipal supply is derived from a streairt. descending from a ravine on the western side of the town, which is made to flow in abundance along the channels of some of the streets. The fountains are numerous. The most remarkable, 'Ain el-Kerun, is under a vaulted dome, and is reached by a fiight of steps. The water is convey- ed hence by conduits to two of the principal mosques and some private houses, and afterwards serves to water the gardens below. The various streams run on the northern side of the town into one channel, which serves to turn a corn-mill that is kept going summer and winter.
On the eastern side of the valley, as already men- tioned, lies the extensive plain of the Mukhna, stretch- ing for many miles from north to south, and hemmed in on both sides by mountain chains, the slopes of which support several villages and hamlets. Ip Scripture it is called Sadeli (iTlCJ), a smooth or level cultivated open land (Gen. xxxiii, 19), to which our Saviour pointed when he said, "Say ye not. There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest '?" etc. (John iv, 35).