342 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
(iigantic rums at Cuclia. — Return to Limasnl. — \mathante. — Ruins. — Cata- 
combs. — General considerations. — Voyage to Alexandria.— Landing. 
The next morning, the 27th April, after having vi- 
sited other catacombs, or subterranean abodes, at a 
short distance from Ieroschipos, we set out for Cuclia, 
and passed by Coloni Ascheia and Dimi. There exist, 
in the second of these villages, the ruins, and some 
arches of an ancient aqueduct, which supplied the sugar 
manufactories of this country with water. 
The chief farmer of Cuclia, who expected us, had 
prepared a large dinner. He complained much because 
the sultana, the mistress of the province, would not ex- 
pend any thing for the preservation of the domain, which 
was falling to decay every day, and which will soon be 
in ruins. He pays twenty purses, or ten thousand pias- 
tres per annum. 
There are only a very few trees to be seen now in 
this canton; but it may be seen by the disposition of the 
waters, that there were formerly gardens, as also pa- 
laces, and other considerable buildings. 
Among the ruins which remain at Cuclia, is an ob- 
ject which surprised me; that is, several parts of a 
wall; but what a wall! It is composed of two enormous 
rows of stones, forming the base, and lying flat upon 
each other. Above rises a range of stones, which, be- 
ing put immediately side by side, form of themselves 
the wall, as well in height as in thickness. This colos- 
sal work appears to have been raised by gigantic hands. 
I could hardly believe my eyes. I tried to imagine that 
