814 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



trance, but there is good anchorage and safety from all weather, 

 and depth of water for ships of war. 



The measurements of Strabo, and all the facts stated by him — 

 which are now examined are found to be exact. He died A. D. 

 25, at an advanced age. 



The account he gave of the climate of England, about the 

 mouth of the Thames and the site of London, was so precisely 

 the same as the last dates from there, we almost conclude to shut 

 up our meteorological books, and note weather no more. For 

 w^hen Strabo was there 1850 years ago, the fog and mist and rain 

 were just as they are now. 



The little river Salghi runs from west to east through nearly 

 the midddle of the Crimea. The climate is very different on the 

 two parts divided by the river. The northern half is almost 

 wholly level plains or steppes with scattered marshes, salt lakes, 

 and heaths almost destitute of trees — but has much good pasture. 

 It is cold and damp in winter and excessively hot in summer, and 

 very unhealthy, especially so along the coast of the Sea of Azoft' 

 (the Putrid Sea). The southern half of the Crimea is totally 

 different. It is a succession of lofty mountains, picturesque 

 ravines, chasms, and most beautiful slopes and vallies. The 

 mountains are of stratas of calcarious rock. The Tchadyadag or 

 Trent mountains are over 5,000 feet high above the sea. The 

 climate is the most delicious that can be imagined, Clarke says 

 it is a terrestrial paradise, abounding in wheat, oil, grapes, pome- 

 granates, figs, oranges, olives, mulberries, and almost every deli- 

 cious fruit. No venomous insect or reptile; no unwholesome 

 exhalations; no chilling winds. The inhabitants seem to have 

 the golden age. The soil, like a hot bed, produces everything 

 with the least labor. Continual streams of crystal water from 

 the calcarious mountains, supply the valleys. Anciently tho 

 Crimea w^as a granary to Athens. 



The most valuable crop of the Crimea is the salt, made in the 

 salt lakes, on the northern half of it. In 1853, the product was 

 242,000 to7is. 



Immense numbers of sheep, black cattle and horses are raised 

 on the plains of this northern half. 



