BAZEERYAN. 



53 



coast, depends for a supply of water entirely 

 upon the winter rains, which are collected in 

 a large circular reservoir, built over with a 

 dome, perforated on the sides to admit the rain. 

 Such reservoirs are very common in Caria, and 

 in other districts where springs are scarce. The 

 reservoir in this village had been rebuilt about 

 three years since. On it was a rude representation 

 of a sort of leopard and serpent, formed of broken 

 pieces of tile, which were stuck in the plastered 

 surface. The association of these animals in such 

 a locality recalled the fabled Chimera. The 

 Turks, however, knew not the monster, and told 

 us that the figure was the fancy of the artist who 

 built the tank, a Greek of Castelorizo. 



We were glad to find that the village con- 

 tained a comfortable odoor, or strangers' house, 

 which every village in Turkey is supposed to 

 possess for the accommodation of travellers : they 

 are not, however, always the most desirable habita- 

 tions ; for as they have usually but one mud-floored 

 room, all parties are mixed together. Our com- 

 panion of to-night was the custom-house officer, 

 whose semi-European costume presented a ridi- 

 culous contrast to the splendid and picturesque 

 dresses of the villagers, among whom the turban 



