56 FROM THE CIRCASSIAN FRONTIER, 
chap. Our journey conducted us, as usual, over 
, > immense plains: these seemed to be inter- 
minable, and they are destitute of the smallest 
elevation. The soil between Ehaterinedara and 
Produce of y]>dnia was very rich. We saw some good 
wheat, bai'ley, oats, millet, rye, maize, and a, 
great quantity of large thistles among the grass, 
a well-known proof that land is not poor. All 
sorts of melons and grapes were thriving in the 
open air. From Kydnia to Mechastovskoy , and 
to Kara Kuban', we observed, principally, grass 
land, with occasional patches of underwood, 
containing young oaks : among these we found 
red peas and vines, growing wild. The post- 
master at Mechastovskoy refused to change a 
note of five roubles, because it was old, and had 
been much in use. Hereabouts, we observed a 
noble race of dogs, like those of ‘the Morea, and of 
the province of Abruzzo in Italy, guarding the 
numerous flocks. The villages were also filled 
with these dogs, owing to their utility in giving 
alarm during the nocturnal incursions of the 
Circassians. We also saw several of a gigantic 
breed, resembling the Irish Wolf-dog. From 
Kara Kuban our route lay chiefly through fens 
filled with reeds and other aquatic plants. 
(l) Each of these latter places is nothing more than a single hut, 
scooped in an antient tomb. 
