THE MEDITERRANEAN N ATI it A LIST 
31 
The southern range of mountains is of a much 
more extensive nature than the northern range, 
which I have just been describing. The eastern- 
most point of this range is the mountain of Santa 
Croce, so called from the church of the Holy Cross 
which stands on its summit. This mountain, 
which is 2260 feet in height, is of a peculiar shape, 
and from its isolated position it forms a prominent 
landmark, not only for vessels approaching the 
port of Larnaca, but also for those entering Fa- 
magusta. Beginning then from this point the 
southern range rapidly rises to considerable 
altitudes, finally culminating in Mount Troodos, 
the highest point in Cyprus, 6406 feet above the 
sea-level. The other chief peaks in the southern 
range are, Adelphe, 5305 feet, and Machera, 4674 
feet. But it is not only in altitude that the 
Troodos range is distinguished; numerous spurs 
run down to the north and south, and as we 
proceed furthe west these radiate out to greater 
distances, so that half way between Troodos and 
the sea, the mountain range is not less than 20 
miles wide. Here there are very considerable 
forest, many miles in extent, rarely visited save by 
wandering flocks and by wood-cutters, and af- 
fording shelter to the moufflon, or wild sheep of 
Europe, some 200 or 300 of which still roam over 
these hills. 
On the map it will be seen that numerous rivers 
descend from both sides of the southern range. 
These are mostly dry in summer, but after rain 
their waters descend with violence, filling up the 
river-beds in the plains, carrying away trees and 
cultivated patches, and often rushing in a turbid 
stream into the bays of Famagusta and Morphou. 
Between the two mountain ranges which I have 
thus briefly described there lies a great plain 
called the Mesaorea, which is the most fertile part 
of Cyprus, growing large crops of wheat, barley, 
and cotton. It was evidently once the bottom of 
the sea, for in many parts are large beds of 
marine shells — gigantic oysters and others — all 
clustered in masses. A noticeable feature of this 
plain is the number of flat-topped plateaux of 
various sizes, where the rock seems to have resisted 
the action of the water. The tops of these plateaux 
are clothed with short herbage, affording a scanty 
provision for flocks, and are usually from 100 to 200 
eet above the plain. 
The rivers which descend from the hills carry 
down large quantities of alluvial soil, and this 
forms in the eastern part of the Mesaorea a rich 
deposit, something similar to the Delta of the Nile. 
The two rivers which mainly contribute to this 
plain are the Pediauis and the Idalia, the former 
taking its rise from the northern slopes of Mount 
Machera and the latter from the eastern slopes of 
the same mountain. 
The Pediseus flows nothward to Nicosia, and 
encircling that city, continues its course eastward 
through the Mesaorea, receiving the drainage of 
the northern range during its course, and falls 
into the sea near the ruins of the ancient city of 
Salamis. The Idalia, passing to the south of 
Nicosia through the classic valley of Dali, also 
flows eastward, and falls into the sea at Salamis, 
about half a mile from the mouth of the Pediseus. 
The beds of these rivers have, however, become so 
choked up with alluvisil deposit towards the end 
of their course, that their waters overflow the plain 
and mingle together, so that their separate mouths 
can with difficulty be distinguished. 
The only other considerable river rises on the 
northern slopes of Mount Adelphe, and after flow- 
ing to the north for about 20 miles, turns to the 
west, and passing the populous village of Morphou, 
flows into the Bay of Morphou. 
The normal condition of these rivers is to be 
without water, but whenever there is a heavy 
rainfall in the mountains, the river “comes down A 
as it is called, and runs for one, two, or more days. 
During the winter months, from December to 
February, this frequently happens, and I have 
known the river Pediseus to be running for six 
weeks together, but this is rare. 
It occasionally happens that the water descends 
with great suddenness and violence, causing disa 
strous floods. In December 1880, a storm of rain 
of the greatest violence burst over the valley of 
the Garilis, a small river which flows into the sea 
at Limassol. Six inches of rain were registered in 
three hours at the military cantonment at Pole 
midia, 3i miles from Limassul. The water over- 
flowed the narrow channel and flooded the town 
of Limassol, washing down many houses, destroy 
ing much property, and causing the death of 
several persons. A similar calamity is reported to 
have occurred at Nicosia about twenty-five years 
