THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
the second is al-Wast, while the highest is al-Jurd; in the latter the chalky formation overlies the sandstone. The chalk formation is the conserver of the water from the melting snows, which percolates until it reaches the sandstone and is then brought to the surface. The numerous springs thus created have much to do with the fertility and consequent population of the region below. Much snow falls on the range during the snowy season, and the lower limit of snowfall is between 1,550 and 1,850 feet above the sea.
The flora in consequence of these favorable conditions is very rich, and the zones marked by the terraces have each its own characteristic plants. For those of the coast plain see Phenicia. In the middle region are found the mulberry, olive, and fig, then come nuts, the apricot, peach, almond, pear, apple, pomegranate, quince and pistachio. Vineyards are productive at an eleva- Flora and tion of 3,100-4,600 feet, at which ele- Fauna. vation diligence has produced some spots of singular fertility. The earlier and native flora of pines and cypresses has been superseded by the plane, maple, linden, arbutus, and oak. Alpine flora commences at an elevation of 7,400 feet. The zone of the mulberry is fertile also in fragrant plants such as the myrtle and the lavender (cf. Hos. xiv. 6). Continued occupation of the country and consequent despoilment has cleared away the former rich growth of forest so often mentioned in the Old Testament. Some pieces of woodland still remain and give shelter to the panther, bear, jackal, hyena, wild boar, and gazelle, though archeology shows that a much larger fauna existed in the woods which once reached nearly to the coast. There are indications that the primitive inhabitants of the region were cannibals.
The lofty and abrupt character of Lebanon as well as the great number of gorges make access exceedingly difficult and fit it as a retreat not easy to approach. It has consequently been the refuge during the centuries of those in difficulties, who found there security and freedom. Concerning the inhabitants of Lebanon only too little Inhabitants, is known. Possibly the earliest known to history were the Amorites (q.v.), since the Amor of the Egyptian inscriptions includes this region. In the fourteenth century the Amorites fought the Egyptians, in the next century they broke out to the south, and when Israel settled in Canaan, they had founded two kingdoms in the mountain region and across the Jordan. Compare with this the independent Druse principality, 1595-1634 a.d. Among the historical examples of refugees to the region with achievement of comparative freedom is the case of the Maronites and the Druses (qq.v.). Present conditions are the result of the interference of Western powers, particularly of France. The region is now under a Christian governor who pays a yearly tribute to the Sublime Porte.
To the east of Lebanon is the great valley of Coele-Syria, which begins at the Lake of Horns (altitude about 1,545 feet), and rises toward the south, bounded on the east by the range of Antilebanon.
Its present name is al-Bika, " the Valley " (cf. the " valley of Lebanon " of Josh. xi. 17). The middle and southern part has a heavy fertile Ccele-Syria. red-brown soil, though the climate is somewhat harsher than on the western slope. The highest point is not far from Baalbek whence the Orontes flows toward the north and the Litany toward the south. Antilebanon begins at the south with the mighty Hermon. North of the post-road to Damascus the range spreads out fanshaped into different spurs named by the inhabitants the " Eastern, Middle, and Western Mountains." Damascus lies under the " eastern " range and in this range rises the Amana of II Kings v. 12, the modern Barada. In the cuneiform inscriptions the names Amana and Senir (cf. Deut. iii. 9) are used for Antilebanon, Senir especially for the northern part. (H. Guthe.)
Bibliography: K. Baedeker, Palestine and Syria, London, 1906; J. L. Porter, Five Years in Damascus, 2 vols., ib! 1855; M. C. A. Churchill, Mount Lebanon, 4 vols ,' ib 1862; R. F. Burton and C. F. T. Drake, Unexplored Syria, ib. 1872; O. Fraas, Drei Monate am Libanon, Stuttgart, 1876; G. Ebers and H. Guthe, Palastina in Bild und Wort, ii (1884), 1 sqq.; C. Diener, Libanon, Vienna, 1886; Leo Anderlind, in ZDPV, x (1887), 89 sqq.; m! Blanckenhorn, Entwickelung des Kreidesystems in Mittelund Nord-Syrien, Cassel, 1890; K. von Fritsch, Zumoffem Hohlenfunde im Libanon, Halle, 1893; G. A. Smith, Historical Geography of the Holy Land, London, 1897; DB, iii. 90-92; EB, iii. 2755-60; JE, vii. 656-657.
LEBBAEUS, leb-bi'us (LEBBEUS). See Judas.
LEBWIN (LIAFWINE, LEBUINUS): English missionary to the Frisians and Saxons in the early part of Charlemagne's reign. He went to Gregory, abbot and priest at Utrecht (d. 775 or 776; see Gregory of Utrecht), who sent him with a certain Marcellinus or Marchelm to what is now Overyssel. Many of the people were already Christians and Lebwin built a church at Deventer and another on the west side of the Yssel. Inroads of heathen Saxons occurred, however, and according to Lebwin's biographer, Hucbald, he followed them to the heart of their country and appeared at their national assembly at Marklo on the lower Weser, clothed in his priestly vestments with a crucifix in one hand and the Gospel in the other, and delivered a threatening address. The infuriated warriors prepared to slay him with stakes which they tore from the ground and sharpened; but an old noble took his part and the outcome was that Lebwin was allowed to return to Deventer and work there unmolested the rest of his life. He is the patron saint of Deventer and is honored on July 25 and Nov. 12. The story of a missionary of the same name in Flanders, the patron of Ghent, who is said to have died c. 660, is probably an imitation of Lebwin of Deventer by one Falsarius of the eleventh century. (O. ZocKLERf-)
Bibliography: Altfrid, Vita S. Lindger in MGH, Script., ii (1829), 405-406, Eng. trans], in H. P. Cressy, Church History of Brittany, 1668; ASM, v. 21, 36; Histoire litterairedela France, vi (1742), 210-221; Rettberg, KD, ii (1848), 405, 535-536; DCB, iii, 640-641; DNB, xxxii. 333; Hauck, KD, ii (1900), 348-349.
LECHLER, leH'ler, GOTTHARD VICTOR: German Lutheran; b. at Kloster Reichenbach, near Freudenstadt (40 m. s.w. of Stuttgart), Wurttemberg, Apr. 18, 1811; d. at Leipsic Dec. 26, 1888.