Early on the morning of February 18th, 1887, we rode out of the southern gate of Tiberias, taking our course along the lake shore to the hot baths and the Jordan valley. The morning was very misty, and heavy clouds foretold us that an excursion at this time of the season would make us sufficiently acquainted with the disagreeableness of a Syrian winter. Our cavalcade could be called noble, for we were accompanied by the Governor, or Kaimakam, of Tiberias, several soldiers, an officer, servants, and some German colonists to aid me in my exploration work: we were also followed by muleteers with loaded animals, carrying, besides a tent, cooking implements and the necessary provisions, and some well-mounted Bedawîn. The Governor had less the intention of taking part in my exploration than of spending a day of rest among a tribe of the Jordan valley, the Ghôr, which, no longer burnt by the summer heat, presented itself as a luxurious grass growth and a blossoming wild flower field. We crossed the Jordan at its outflow from the lake with some difficulty, the depth rising up to six feet and more, and the width not being less than 60 yards; and we first had to procure a little boat for the luggage, and to drag the animals behind, which were obliged to cross the river swimming.