286 TOWN OF ALMALEE. 



The valley of Eski Hissar is separated from 

 the main part of the plain of Almalee, by an 

 extensive marsh, drained by a broad stream 

 which falls into a cavern, at the eastern end of 

 the plain, and disappears. The town of Almalee 

 is built in a wooded recess, at the foot of a high 

 rocky and barren peak. It is the capital of 

 Lycia, and commercial centre of extensive fer- 

 tile districts, the produce of which are brought 

 here, and hence distributed to the ports of Ada- 

 lia, Phineka, and Macri. Tanning and dyeing 

 are its special trades ; and the red morocco 

 skins made here are said to be of excellent 

 quality. Grain and leeches are the chief ex- 

 ports for distant markets ; their buyers, — 

 agents, mostly of Smyrna merchants, — are numer- 

 ous and active, looking to smuggling for their 

 profits, as well as legitimate trade. At this 

 season, however, they have but little to do, except 

 advancing money to the peasantry, in order to 

 secure a monopoly of the growing crops — a sys- 

 tem generally pursued throughout this country, 

 and adopted by the merchant to induce the far- 

 mers to cultivate more than they require for 

 their domestic purposes. Almalee, being their 

 centre of trade, has long held its place in maps 



