Sketi^h of the Physical Nature of Cyprus. 



c. Plains. 



A broad, undulating plain, the Messaria, extends quite across the island from the bay of Morphu 

 to that of Famag-usta. Its total length is about 92 km., and its breadth varies between 20 and 35 km. 

 To the north and south the plain is limited by both the mountain-chains described above. 



From both the opposite bays the ground by imperceptible degrees is slowly rising towards the 

 interior of the island. The plain attains to its greatest elevation ca. 10 km. west of Nikosia, near the village 

 of Hierolakko. An instructive survey of the inclination of the ground is given by the levels of the stations 

 of the new railway crossing the Messaria from Famagusta to Karavostasi: Famagusta 14.3 m., Stylos 

 11.6 m., Prastion 24.4 m , Jenagra 34.5 m., Musulita 47.0 m., Ankastina 67.7 m., Exometoki 86.6 m., Trakoni 

 104.6 m., Mia Milea 104.3 m., Nikosia 139.7 ra., Hierolakko 214.1 m., Kokkini Trimithia 233.6 m., 

 Avlona 147.8 m., Kato Kopia 109.5 m. (Aneroid Barom.), Morphu 45.4 m., Karavostasi 1.2 m. above the 

 sea.') Allowing for a single barometer-determination, all these heights have been found by exact levellings, 

 starting from low-water tide. The lowest point of the water-shed of the Messaria, near the village of 

 Hierolakko, is only 161 m. above the sea. If submerged to that level, Cyprus consequently would be divided 

 into two separate islands. 



The original surface of the plain consists of an almost continuous, hard crust of Pliocene conglome- 

 rates, which is now at a great extent removed through the erodating action of the running water. In the 

 course of time the several rivers and rivulets have cut their beds down into the layer of light marls under 

 the protecting crust. The marly soil, whei'ever it is thus laid open, makes the most fertile arable lands 

 of the island. Remains of the ancient surface are still left in a multitude of low flat-topped hills, the 

 „Kavkalla's" of the Cypriots, and also in considerable stretches of sterile table-land, which are covered only 

 with very little rusty brown ferruginous earth. Such is especially the nature of the south-eastern peninsula, 

 the neighbourhood of the villages Ormidia, Phrenaros, Hag. Napa etc., which is, therefore, known by the 

 villagers by the name of Koxy.ijoywpia. 



As has been shown by the famous Austrian geologist E. Suess, the Messaria from a techtonical 

 point of view corresponds to the Orontes-valley in Syria. 



Stretches of plains of smallei- size are to be seen between Limassol and Kolossi, between Kuklia 

 and Ktima, and elsewhere along the coasts. 



d. Hydrography. 



The natural fountains of Cyprys have been carefully studied by Unger; a chapter of his book 

 (pag. 67—77) is especially devoted to their description. Considering the size of the island, there are not 

 many fountains running perpetuously all the year round. Most of them, including the richest ones, are 

 to be found in the mountains, and especially two springs of the northern range, at Kythraea and Lapithos, 

 have from ancient time been famous for their abundance of water. In the numerous valleys of the 

 Troodos as a rule small wells spring forth, shaded by a group of platanes, and here the fatigued traveller 

 as late even as about midsummer will be able to find a refreshing drink. In the map of Lord Kit- 

 chener the highest situated well is marked on the northern side of Chionistra, 1 643 m. above the sea. 

 About Prodromo there are several excellent fountains between 1 400 and 1 500 m. above sea level. 2) 



') Kindly eomraunicaterl liy 3Ir. Day, Chief Manager of the Cyprus Government Railway. This series of figures is of 

 great value, as heights fixed by levelling- have not before been published fi-om Cyiirus. The figures, however, agree remark- 

 ably well with those given by Oberhummer, Insel Cypern I, p. 164 — 165. 



=) Oberhummer (Insel Cypern I, pag. 228) has uttered doubt as to the situation of Vrysi tu Macliinari and Vrysi 

 Frauchi, two springs mentioned by Unger. Both of them are situated near Prodromo, the former one above the road to Galata 

 and the latter one at the old monastery of "Panagia Trikukia". They are well-known by the villagers. 



