12 SPORT AND TRAVEL 



feet in height, but at the time of my visit there was not 

 a vestige of snow upon them, and the whole range had 

 the same burnt-up arid appearance as those we had 

 passed through, and there was not a tree or a bush or 

 any sign of vegetation to be seen anywhere upon them. 

 Of course, this general view was deceptive, as I believe 

 that there are considerable forests of pine-trees on 

 some portions of the lower slopes of the mountains, 

 which appeared to me to be absolutely devoid of any 

 vegetation at all. As I have said above, in spite of the 

 sterile and forbidding appearance of the country, goats 

 thrive well on the various prickly plants which grow 

 amongst the stones, and we passed several flocks of a 

 fine large breed, all seemingly in excellent condition. 

 The wild-looking unkempt Yuruk shepherds who tend 

 them must be a hardy race. They are nomadic, living 

 in tents made of camel's hair matting stretched on 

 poles, which, although they look very flimsy, are said 

 to be both strong and water-tight. Near the tent of 

 one family was a patch of ground from which a crop 

 of wheat or rye had been reaped, but so scanty was the 

 soil, and so full of stones, that it seemed a marvel that 

 it should ever have produced anything at all. Wild 

 though these mountain shepherds were in appearance, 

 and far removed from all the amenities of civilised life, 

 they were dignified and courteous in manner, and 

 never failed to offer us the best cheer procurable 

 amidst their rude surroundings, to wit, sour goat's 

 milk. During the afternoon, whilst descending to- 



