ATTICA. 



149 



Nov. 3. — Leaving the hill of Anchesmus, and the monastery of 

 Asomato on our left, we passed along the banks of the Ilissus. The 

 bed was narrow, dry, and frequently choaked with stones ; is was 

 fringed with the Oleander and Agnus castus. Not far from the base 

 of the mountain it divided, and one of its branches was dignified for- 

 merly with the celebrated name of Eridanus. After an hour's ride 

 we arrived at the monastery, which presented a melancholy appear- 

 ance. I took a young Calojer for my guide to the top of the 

 mountain. Having left the olive grounds, we found the rock at first 

 thinly covered with the Kermes oak, the Spartium Scorpius, and 

 Spinosum, mixed with Satureia Thymbra and Capitata, the latter of 

 which is the celebrated thyme of the ancients, their Thymbra. I 

 observed some strata of marble of a white colour, almost rivalling in 

 beauty that of Pendeli. Though Hymettus was barren of plants, I 

 had not advanced far up the mountain before I was gratified with the 

 discovery of a new species of Colchicum, now in full flower. I saw 

 the beautiful Persian Cyclamen under the shelves of the rocks, and 

 towards the highest parts the vernal crocus was just opening its blos- 

 soms. The day was fine and the atmosphere remarkably clear ; from 

 the summit I commanded an extensive view of the Straits of Negro- 

 pont, and various of the Cyclades ; the eastern coast of Attica, with 

 its numerous ports stretching to Cape Colonna ; the Saronic gulph, 

 with islands interspersed in it ; the rich plain of Messoia and Athens, 

 with its city and groves of olives ; the mountains of Pendeli and Par- 

 nes in Attica, and of Cithaeron in Bceotia. A flock of goats and 

 sheep appeared hanging over the cliffs, and two eagles soared over 

 the summit. Hymettus cannot be ranked among the highest moun- 

 tains of Greece ; its height is less than that of Parnes, and nearly the 

 same with that of Pendeli ; not sheltered by woods, it is exposed to 

 the winds, and has a sun-burnt appearance. The neglected state of 

 the monastery arose from the debts which it had contracted ; these, 

 in some measure, had been lately paid by the See of Athens, to which 

 the revenues of the monastery belonged. The honey made in it was 

 the property of the Bishop ; and the Caloyers were so poor and so 



