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CHAPTER VII. 



THE BLACK SEA. 



That large area which is comprised within the 

 island of Crete and the shores of Greece, and Asia 

 Minor, is in most striking contrast with all other 

 parts of the Mediterranean basin. Viewed as an 

 area of depression, the history of this region is 

 probably the same as to date with all the rest ; but 

 if so, its original features were very distinct : lofty 

 islands, rocky coasts, and deep intervening seas 

 form for 350 miles the approach to the narrow 

 straits which lead into the Black Sea. A glance at 

 a good physical map of this region will suffice to 

 indicate that the islands of the iEgean are the 

 peaks and ridges which once connected the moun- 

 tains of Greece with those of Anatolia. 



The opposite shores of the Dardanelles and Bos- 

 phorus approach so close at places as to give to this 

 connecting link between the iEgean and the Black 

 Sea the features of a broad river ; and this resem- 

 blance is increased by the steady now of the water 

 outwards. This " set " of the " ocean stream " may 

 be observed in parts of the iEgean ; it is the excess 

 of inflow into the Black Sea beyond the loss by 

 evaporation. 



