Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

304 TRAVELS IN ASIATIC TURKEV,
lofty mountain, which we had some labour and difficulty
to ascend,
and which required more than half an hour's exertion, through
winding paths which led over rocks and bushy thickets. The sides
of the mountain are covered with
lofty firs, oaks, and ash-trees,
together with thick brush wood of myrtle and mastic trees. On
the summit we found the ruins of walls, and of a fort, and other
works, with the vestige of a building, which appeared to have
been a monastery. In each of the
angles of the domes, or vaulted
roofs, of the apartments, the crosses of Jerusalem and Ii hades were
still discernible.
From the mountain we had a tine view of the surrounding coun-
try, which is pleasingly diversified, consisting partly of high rocky
grounds, the rugged surface of which contrasts with the beautiful
and extensive vallies beneath. The elevated and is
rocky territory
in some parts covered by a soft calcarious stone, while in others it
is of a sandy texture, with aggregations of round marble pebbles,
similar to those found on the sea-shore. These pebbles are not on-
ly employed for the pavement of the streets, but also of the court-
yards and floors of the houses, where they are disposed with great
taste, and have a very pleasing
effect.
The vallies are cultivated with great care, and yield abundant
crops of wheat and barley, with a small proportion of oats. The
vineyards are enclosed bv stone walls; and round these enclosures
there are large plantations of fig and olive-trees. In the villages
which are interspersed, the houses are built of white stone; they
are small, but very neat. To render the scene still more pictures-
que, large oaks, firs, and ash-trees, are planted on the sides of the
mountains, and in the spots the least susceptible of cultivation.
Every pari of the island is supplied wrh excellent water, collected
from the springs which the rains have formed in their descent from
the mountainous parts. The high lands are covered with a variety
of fragrant herbs, which yield a delightful perfume; and contain
enclosures for the culture of the different fruits, which, as well as
the vegetables, are of kinds similar to those I have already noticed
in speaking of Egypt and Syria.
In passing through one of the Greek villages, we entered the
church, which, among other very pretty decorations, contained
several subjects and figures sculptured in wood with much neatness
and ability.
The island abounds with hares, woodcocks, partridges, snipes,
and wild ducks. The breed of horses is small and insignificant, the