requirements (conscription, taxation, &c.). Strabo refers to a
great cave in Trachonitis capable of holding 4000 robbers. Arab tradition
regards it as the home of Job; and it is famous as being the centre of the
Ghassanid dynasty. The Hauran is one of the principal habitations of the
sect of the Druses (_q.v._).

The physical characteristics of Bashan are noteworthy. Volcanic in
origin--the Jebel ed-Druz is a group of extinct volcanoes--the friable
volcanic soil is extraordinarily fertile. It is said to yield wheat
eighty-fold and barley a hundred. The oaks for which the country was once
famous still distinguish it in places.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.--In addition to books mentioned under PALESTINE see the
following:--U. J. Seetzen, _Reisen durch Syrien, Palastina, Phonicien, &c._
(4 vols., 1854); Rev. J. L. Porter, _Five Years in Damascus_ (2 vols.,
1855); _The Giant Cities of Bashan_ (out of date, but some of the
descriptions good, 1865); J. G. Wetzstein, _Reisebericht ueber Hauran und
die Trachonen_ (Berlin, 1860); Sir R. F. Burton and C. F. T. Drake,
_Unexplored Syria_ (1872); G. Schumacher, _The Jaul[=a]n_ (1888); _Abila,
Fella and Northern Ajlun_ (1890); _Across the Jordan_ (1886), (Palestine
Exploration Fund); Rev. W. Ewing, _A Journey in the Hauran_ (with a large
collection of inscriptions); Palestine Exploration Fund _Quarterly
Statement_, 1895; W. H. Waddington's _Inscriptions of Syria_ may also be
consulted; Dussaud (Rene) and Frederic Macler, _Voyage archeologique au
Safa et dans le Djabel ed-Dr[=u]z_ (1901). In 1900 an important survey of
the Hauran and neighbouring regions was made under American auspices,
directed by Dr Enno Littmann; the publication of the great harvest of
results was begun in 1906.

(R. A. S. M.)

BASHI-BAZOUK, the name given to a species of irregular mounted troops
employed by the Turks. They are armed and maintained by the government but
do not receive pay. They do not wear uniform or distinctive badges. They
fight either mounted or dismounted, chiefly the latter, but are incapable
of undertaking serious work, because of their lack of discipline. Their
uncertain temper has sometimes made it necessary for the Turkish regular
troops to disarm them by force, but they are often useful in the work of
reconnaissance and in outpost duty. They are accused, and generally with
justice, of robbery and maltreatment of the civil population, resembling in
those things, as in their fighting methods and valu