Page 464 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXVI.] NAKAB EL HAJAR. 425

direction of its greatest length is from east
to west. Crossing diagonally, there is a shal­

low valley, dividing it into two nearly equal
portions, which swell into an oval form.

About a third of the height from its base, a

massive wall, averaging in those places where
it remains entire, from thirty to forty feet in

height, is carried completely round the emi­

nence, and flanked by square towers, erected
at equal distances. There are but two en­

trances situated north and south from each
other, at the termination of the valley before

mentioned. A hollow square tower, each side

measuring fourteen feet, stands on both sides

of these. Their bases extend to the plain
below, and are carried out considerably be­

yond the rest of the building. Between the
towers, at an elevation of twenty feet from

the plain, there is an oblong platform which
projects about eighteen feet without, and as

much within the walls. A flight of steps was

apparently once attached to either extremity
of the building, although now all traces of

them have disappeared. This level space is

roofed with flat stones of massive dimensions,
resting on transverse walls. It is somewhat