DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10358#0158
I32
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
our saddle bags with it, for it is only regarded by the Arabs as a weed. Squills, too, grow
luxuriantly here, but they are ploughed up and destroyed.
The village of Mukhalid apparently derives its name from a neighbouring and highly-
revered Mohammedan sanctuary, dedicated to Sitti Saba Umm Khalid (the lady Saba, mother
of Khalid).
The fortified khan of Mukhalid is a good example of Saracenic architecture, but it has
long been in ruins. The fragments of glass and hard pottery found near it indicate that this
site was occupied at an early period, but nothing has yet been ascertained of its history.
THE TRADITIONAL HOUSE OF SIMON THE TANNER.
A Mohammedan sanctuary. On the south side of the court of the house there is an arched recess, in which a lamp is always kept burning, and
where pilgrims perform their devotions. A well of good water and a fine fig-tree add to the attractions of this " place."
From the eastern brow of the sandstone ridge, near to Mukhalid, there is a fine panoramic view,
extending from the headland of Carmel to Jaffa. Looking due east, we see the beautiful hills of
Samaria (Har-Ephraim), beyond the plain of Sharon, the surface of which is here diversified by
a central range of low, scantily wooded hills, which run southwards and terminate in an oak
forest, the remains of the ancient forest of Arsuf, opposite to the ruins of the city of that
name. This hilly district is said to support " a considerable population of bad character, but
rich in horses, flocks, and herds."
The melon district terminates near to the river El Falik, which we approach through a
wild shrubbery, formed chiefly of ilex, arbutus, hawthorn, and rue. Its name signifies " the
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
our saddle bags with it, for it is only regarded by the Arabs as a weed. Squills, too, grow
luxuriantly here, but they are ploughed up and destroyed.
The village of Mukhalid apparently derives its name from a neighbouring and highly-
revered Mohammedan sanctuary, dedicated to Sitti Saba Umm Khalid (the lady Saba, mother
of Khalid).
The fortified khan of Mukhalid is a good example of Saracenic architecture, but it has
long been in ruins. The fragments of glass and hard pottery found near it indicate that this
site was occupied at an early period, but nothing has yet been ascertained of its history.
THE TRADITIONAL HOUSE OF SIMON THE TANNER.
A Mohammedan sanctuary. On the south side of the court of the house there is an arched recess, in which a lamp is always kept burning, and
where pilgrims perform their devotions. A well of good water and a fine fig-tree add to the attractions of this " place."
From the eastern brow of the sandstone ridge, near to Mukhalid, there is a fine panoramic view,
extending from the headland of Carmel to Jaffa. Looking due east, we see the beautiful hills of
Samaria (Har-Ephraim), beyond the plain of Sharon, the surface of which is here diversified by
a central range of low, scantily wooded hills, which run southwards and terminate in an oak
forest, the remains of the ancient forest of Arsuf, opposite to the ruins of the city of that
name. This hilly district is said to support " a considerable population of bad character, but
rich in horses, flocks, and herds."
The melon district terminates near to the river El Falik, which we approach through a
wild shrubbery, formed chiefly of ilex, arbutus, hawthorn, and rue. Its name signifies " the