336 
thought himself transported into the celestial regions. 
It is certain that this rock is considerably undermined, 
for it may be observed, that in several places there are 
many openings and fallings in; and, according to this 
hypothesis, who could describe the obscure labyrinth, 
which those who were to be initiated had to traverse, 
before they entered into the garden? We know the ter- 
rible initiations of Isis and Osiris. We know also, that 
Pythagoras wished to participate in the mysteries of 
Diospolis, and was obliged to submit to the cruel opera- 
tion of circumcision. I imagine this ceremony was 
customary in the initiations of Aphroditis. I speak of 
these initiations prior to those which were exercised in 
the temples of the goddess. 
All the garden is now sown with grain and tobacco; 
there are no trees, except a few in the hollows of the 
rocks; and no spontaneous vegetable productions, ex- 
cept some miserable plants, specimens of which I have 
added to my collection; so that the celebrated spot, 
which was the delight of Greece and of Asia, is now 
become the dwelling and the tenement of a poor 
farmer. 
In the middle of the garden are the remains of a 
Greek church, called Aya Marina. Among these ruins 
I remarked the capital of a fluted grey marble column* 
very simple, and elegant. 
At the foot of the village of Ieroschipos, and in the 
garden, is the principal spring, which gushes from the 
rock; it supplies an abundance of excellent water, as do 
all the others in the neighbourhood. The same day at 
half past three in the afternoon, I quitted the village and 
directed my course W. N. W.; and leaving the port 
