Detailed accounts of the temperature, and of the climate generally, in
the most important provinces of the Empire, Babylonia and Mesopotamia
Proper, have been already given, and on these points the reader is
referred to the first volume. With regard to the remaining provinces, it
may be noticed, in the first place, that the climate of Susiana differs
but very slightly from that of Babylonia, the region to which it is
adjacent. The heat in summer is excessive, the thermometer, even in the
hill country, at an elevation of 5000 feet, standing often at 107°
Fahr. in the shade. The natives construct for themselves serdaubs,
or subterranean apartments, in which they live during the day, thus
somewhat reducing the temperature, but probably never bringing it much
below 100 degrees. They sleep at night in the open air on the flat roofs
of their houses. So far as there is any difference of climate at this
season between Susiana and Babylonia, it is in favor of the former. The
heat, though scorching, is rarely oppressive; and not unfrequently a
cool, invigorating breeze sets in from the mountains, which refreshes
both mind and body. The winters are exceedingly mild, snow being unknown
on the plains, and rare on the mountains, except at a considerable
elevation. At this time, however--from December to the end of
March--rain falls in tropical abundance; and occasionally there are
violent hail-storms, which inflict serious injury on the crops. The
spring-time in Susiana is delightful. Soft airs fan the cheek, laden
with the scent of flowers; a carpet of verdure is spread over the
plains; the sky is cloudless, or overspread with a thin gauzy veil; the
heat of the sun is not too great; the rivers run with full banks and
fill the numerous canals; the crops advance rapidly towards perfection;
and on every side a rich luxuriant growth cheers the eye of the
traveller.

On the opposite side of the Empire, in Syria and Palestine, a moister,