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brooks, which the heat of summer entirely or partly 
dries up. But if they would take the trouble, I am per- 
suaded they might obtain as much water from the Pa- 
phian mountains as would supply the whole island; and 
if we observe the vestiges of the conduits, which are to 
be seen on all sides, even in the most parched and arid 
spots, it may be conjectured that in ancient times there 
existed a system of general irrigation. 
I remarked also, that there must have been very fine 
roads and causeways, from the few remains that exist 
at this moment. The modern roads are in general in 
the worst state possible. 
The island of Cyprus is visited with dreadful scourges; 
one of which is a multitude of vipers and serpents, of 
about three feet in length, whose bite is said to be mor- 
tal; but what proves it not to be so is, that the Charla- 
tans boast that they are able to cure it, in which they 
sometimes succeed, though not by means of their prayers 
and their charms. 
The number of these animals obliges all classes, of 
every age and sex, rich and poor, to wear boots. I 
saw several of these reptiles, whose motion is very 
slow. 
The other evil is, the strange multiplication of grass- 
hoppers, which are produced every year in a dreadful 
degree, without the least effort being made to destroy 
them, a thing which it would be very easy to do. 
I sent a memorandum relative to this subject to the 
archbishop, who is prince of Cyprus. He returned to 
me the most flattering answer. 
If the population of the island increased in the man- 
ner of which it is susceptible; if a liberal constitution 
