The examination of the country to the east of the Jordan is, under existing conditions, attended with so much difficulty that I was glad to seize an opportunity which fell in my way of paying a visit to the northern and eastern shores of the Lake of Tiberias, and penetrating a short distance into Jaulân, with the view of visiting certain localities, where I had reason to believe that some ruins existed which had hitherto escaped observation. I was unfortunately prevented by circumstances from devoting to them the time and labour which they deserved, and in more than one instance, where it would have been interesting to linger, was compelled to hurry past places, with the mental reservation that I would endeavour to return, at some future time, for a more detailed examination.

I commenced my investigations immediately on crossing the Jordan, at the point of its debouchure into the lake. Here, at a distance of half a mile east from its mouth, are situated the ruins of El 'Araj, which consists of foundations of old walls, and blocks of basaltic stone, cut and uncut, which have been used for building purposes. The ruins cover a limited area. A little over a mile north of El 'Araj there rises from the fertile plain of El Batîhah a mound strewn with blocks of stone, and other remains which cover a considerable area. This is Et Tell, a spot which it has been sought by more than one traveller to identify with Bethsaida Julias.