on the Surface qf'tfie Morea. 13 



Velonidia near Cape Malea; of Skala, in Helos ; of Mosuto, 

 near Astros ; of Lernia, and the Erasinusj all of which form 

 rivers at their outlets from tlie rock, and situated a few meters 

 only above the level of the sea, between latitudes 36° 30', and 

 37° 4'; their temperature is the same in all seasons *, and de- 

 creases with the increase of latitude from 18° ^^gths to 17°; the 

 average of these observations is 17°/oths ; and it is to be ob- 

 served, tliat not only is this average result in accordance with 

 the formula of Meyer (T = 27° 5', cos^ L) for the average lati- 

 tude 36° 57', but it is also the case with each of the separate 

 observations. 



This constant elevation in the temperature of the Kephalo- 

 vrysi, whilst that of the lakes of the interior, their principal 

 feeders, is as frequently proved by the obstruction of the drains 

 descended even to + 8°, and even -f- 5° at the time of the melt- 

 ing of the snow, also demonstrates the existence of vast lakes and 

 long subterraneous canals, a result to which the ancients were 

 also led by observation. 



" In the Peloponnesus, there are great cavities in the bowels 

 of the earth, where vast lakes are formed by the accumulation 

 of water." — Diodorus Siculus, Liv. ii. chap. 41. 



Locos or small enclosed Basins. — Independent of the large 

 basins without outlets, of irregular shapes, and the immediate 

 result of the upraising of the mountains of the Morea, there are 

 depressions of much smaller extent and of moro regular form, 

 on all the table-lands, mountains, and hills ; but it is only in 

 the district occupied by secondary limestones that the Greeks 

 give them the name of Lacos (Aaxxe;), although they never con- 

 tain water, at least during summer. 



Certain mountains with large summits are all in this manner 

 cracked like volcanic domes, or like the surface of the moon. It 

 rarely happens that we do not find one or more in these hills ac- 

 cording to their extent. These lacos attracted my attention the 

 more strongly, as they afforded me a certain shelter in pitching 

 my tent, on the highest and most rocky mountains. 



Of these cavities, some are the result of the dislocation of the 



• As we were unable to return to these places, M. Virtet and Captain 

 Peytler had the kindness to repeat these observations ; we employed a cen- 

 tigrade thermometer, which gave ^'jths of 0°. 



