mostly by means of terraces built up with great labor, and covered above with soil. In looking upwards from below the vegetation on the terraces is not seen, so that the whole mountain side appears as if composed of immense rugged masses of naked rocks, and one ignorant of the topographical peculiarities and agricultural resources of this region would not suspect that among these rocks there existed a multitude of thrifty villages, and a numerous population of hardy, industrious, and brave mountaineers. But on reversing the view, and looking down the western slope from the brow of one of the projecting bluffs, a totally different, and highly picturesque scene is presented to view. The small areas at the tops of the terraces are green and golden-hued with vines, corn, and the foliage of the mulberry. The steeper banks and tops of ridges have their forests of pine and oak; while far away down in the glens, around the villages and convents, are groves of olives. Cultivation extends only to the hight of about 6,000 feet; above that line the mountains are nearly destitute of vegetation.

RIVERS.

The southern end of Cole-Syria is divided by a low ridge into two branches. Down the eastern branch runs the Wady el-Teim, a tributary of the Jordan, and down the western flows the Litany. The latter branch soon contracts into a deep wild chasm, whose banks are in some places over a thousand feet high, of naked rocks, and nearly perpendicular. At one spot this ravine is only 60 feet wide, and is

spanned by a natural bridge about 100 feet above the stream. Above it,rises vast walls of naked limestone, pierced with numerous caves. At this place the scenery is strikingly magnificent. The high cliffs nearly meet overhead; and rugged masses of rocks shoot out from dizzy hights above, and appear as if about to plunge into the chasm below; the mad river far down in the depths dashing along from rapid to rapid, in sheets of foam. In wild grandeur this has but few equals in the world.

The other rivers of Lebanon are the Nahr-el-Kelb (Dog River), Nahr-el-Kebir, Kadisha, and the Adonis. These rivers are fed by the eternal snows on the summits of the mountains, and their waters are all refreshingly cool until far down the mountain sides.

Among the most noted is the Nahr-el-Kelb, which rises high up on the flank of the peak of Sunnin and dashes down through a deep glen. To the Mason the mouth of this river is a place of great interest, as being one of the two places where the cedars were made up into floats to be conveyed to Joppa for the Temple of Solomon.

THE LEONTES-The sources of this river are at Baalbek, and Chalcis. The upper section of this stream is now called the Litany, and the lower section, the Kasimiyeh.

THE KADISHA, or Sacred River, has its highest source around the most important grove of cedars, and decends through a deep, grand ravine 1,000 feet deep. Here, on opposite banks, are two villages the people of which can easily converse across the chasm, but to reach each other would require a toilsome

walk of hours. In a wild cleft of this ravine is the convent of Kanobin, the residence of the Maronite patriarch. The mouth of this river is a short distance below Tripolis, and here also a considerable portion of the cedar-timber for the Temple was brought from the mountains to be conveyed to Joppa.

THE ADONIS-was famous in ancient fable as the scene of the romantic story of Adonis and Venus. Adonis was said to have been killed by a boar on its banks, and his blood dyed the waters, which have ever since, on the anniversary of his death, run red to the sea. The source of this stream is a noble fountain beside the ruins of a temple of Venus, and near the site of Aphica. The Adonis empties into the sea, a short distance south of Gebal.

CLIMATE.

In

There is a great difference in the climate between the base of the mountains and their summits. the plain of Dan, at the fountain of the Jordan, the heat and vegetation are almost tropical; and the exhalations from the marshy plain render this region unhealthy; and the semi-nomads who inhabit it are as dark in complexion as Egyptians; but in the plains of Cole-Syria, 3,000 feet, and Damascus, 2,500 feet above the level of the sea, more or less snow falls every winter, and often to the depth of six and seven feet. The main ridges of Lebanon are generally covered with snow from December till March-sometimes so deep that the roads are impassable for weeks together. During the whole summer the higher parts of the mountains are cool and pleasant, and the

air extremely dry. From the first of June till about the 20th of September rain never falls, and clouds are seldom seen. About the 20th of September the winter rains begin, usually accompanied with vivid lightning. The coldest months are January and February. The barley harvest begins about the first of August. Between an elevation of 2,000 and 5,000 feet the thermometer seldom rises higher than 70° to 80° Fahr. in the hottest months of the year. The nights are cool and pleasant. In fact, the climate of this region in summer is enchanting. The air is so dry and pure, that objects are seen at a greater distance than in most any other part of the world; and by night the stars glow with unparalleled splendor in a firmament so clear that one almost fancies that the eye can penetrate further into its marvellous depths than in any other land.

Beyroot, being next to the foot of these mountains, enjoys a very equitable and salubrious climate, which is a great inducement to invalids, or families travelling in pursuit of health to stop there; and such persons find it a very pleasant and healthy residence. The close proximity of the mountains affords the means of changing the temperature at will; and the interesting country of the Druzes is but a short distance up the mountains, and Baalbek but forty miles distant. Visits to these places, and to the cedars, form highly interesting excursions, while to the cave of St. George is only a morning walk. The great healthfulness of the climate will be seen from the fact that the natives are a peculiarly robust race, most of them possessing great muscular strength. It is no uncom

mon thing to see a porter on the Marina, at Beyroot, walk away with a bale of cotton-twist on his shoulders weighing 600 lbs.

PRODUCTIONS.

The principal productions of Lebanon are wheat, barley, maize, melons, pumpkins, peas, beans, carrots, turnips, potatoes, cucumbers, tobacco, cotton, walnuts, figs, olives, and grapes.

Where water is plenty, irrigation is extensively practised, and the crops are luxuriant. The flowers are the tulip, pink, anemone, ranunculus, geranium, crocus, lily, star of Bethlehem, convolvulus, etc.; all of which are bright and beautiful.

THE RENOWNED CEDARS OF LEBANON.

The cedar is frequently mentioned in the Bible, and in several passages it is styled the glory of Lebanon; and in the 29th Psalm, how grand is the introduction of the cedar! "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth; the voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon."

Well might the cedar be called the glory of Lebanon. The magnificence of the living tree, and the beauty, fragrance, and durability of the timber distinguish it among all the trees of the mountain forest. Religion, poetry, and history have equally consecrated them. They furnish a class of images which inspired writers used with especial preference. Its great durability is astonishing, as it has frequently been found as sound as when cut, after being in use over two thousand years. According to Pliny,