“As for the land, which lies between the Euphrates and the Tigris, called the land _Between the Rivers_, the herdsman would not contemn its pastures, nor he who tends flocks folded in the fields, and honors with his syrinx Pan who has horny hoofs.” From Ezekiel we learn, that Damascus supplied the Tyrians with wool[232], and Jerome, who well knew the country, says in his comment on the passage, that this article was still produced there in his time (A. D. 378.)[233]. Aristotle, referring to the sheep of Syria, mentions a variety with tails, which were a cubit broad[234]; and Pliny in addition to this circumstance asserts generally the abundance of the Syrian wool[235]. Probably the part of Syria appropriated more especially to the breeding of sheep, was the eastern part, which bordered on Arabia, and was distinguished by the same natural features. [232] “Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and _white_ wool. Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: _bright_ iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market. Dedan was thy merchant in _precious clothes for chariots_. Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in _lambs_, and _rams_, and _goats_: in these were they thy merchants. The merchants of Shebah and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants. These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, _in blue clothes_, and _broidered work_, and _in chests of rich apparel_, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.”--_Ezekiel_ xxvii. 18-24. [233] “Et lana præcipua, quod usque hodie cernimus.” [234] Hist. Animalium, l. viii. cap. 28. [235] Plinii Hist. Nat. l. viii. c. 75. ed. Bipont. See Appendix A.