[p.312] where terminate the gardens and orchards which surround Damascus
on all sides to a distance of from six to ten miles. We found the
peasants occupied with the corn harvest, and with the irrigation of the
cotton fields, in which the plants had just made their appearance above
ground. The plain is every where cultivated. In two hours and three
quarters we passed Kokab [Arabic], a small village on the western
extremity of the chain of low hills known by the appellation of Djebel
Kessoue. To the left of the road from Dareya to Kokab are the villages
Moattamye [Arabic], Djedeide [Arabic] and Artous [Arabic]; and to the
right of it, El Ashrafe [Arabic], and Szahhnaya [Arabic]. The direction
of our route was W.S.W. Beyond Kokab, a small part only of the plain is
cultivated. At three hours and three quarters, to our left, was the
village Wadhye [Arabic], and a little farther the village Zaky [Arabic].
Route S.W. b. W. Four hours and a half, Khan el Sheikh [Arabic], a house
for the accommodation of travellers, this being the great road from Akka
to Damascus. The Khan is inhabited by a few families, and stands near
the river Seybarany [Arabic], which flows towards the Ghoutta of
Damascus. We followed the banks of the river over a stony desert; on the
opposite bank extends the rocky district called War Ezzaky [Arabic],
mentioned in my former Journal.[See p. 284.] In five hours and three
quarters we passed a rocky tract called Om el Sheratytt [Arabic]. Several
heaps of stones indicate the graves of travellers murdered in this place
by the Druses, who, during their wars with Djezzar Pasha, were in the
habit of descending from the neighbouring mountain, Djebel el Sheikh, in
order to waylay the caravans. The Seybarany runs here in a deep bed of
the Haouran black stone. In six hours and a quarter we passed the river,
over a solid bridge. At six hours and