SOUTH COAST OF THE CRIMEA. 
341 
the morning. Leaving the P ulley of Baidar, we 
ascended the mountains inclosing it towards the v 
south. By dint of actually climbing among 
rocks and trees, through a very Alpine pass, 
we at length attained the heights above the 
sea. 'Here a descent began towards the shore, 
and a vast and terrific prospect was opened. 
Naked rocks rose perpendicularly, to such 
amazing elevation, that even the wide and 
misty sea, dashing its waves against their 
bases, was unheard at the immense distance, 
and appeared insignificant, when compared with 
the vastness of the objects to which it was 
opposed. Between their craggy summits, we 
were conducted to the Merdveen, a name signi- 
fying ‘ stairs in the Tahtar language these steps 
were hewn in the natural rock in some remote 
age. Here we alighted, and left our horses to 
themselves ; beginning a laborious and a difficult 
descent. A passage of this nature, less preci- 
pitous, exists in the Island ol Caprea, near 
Naples. It leads from the modern town of 
Capri to Anacapri; but horses are never seen 
there. The only beasts of burden are asses, 
generally laden with fagots. There are similar 
scenes in the Alps, but not of greater boldness ; 
neither have they the addition of the sea in the 
perspective. After we had completed the 
passage of the Merdveen, being still at a great 
CHAP. 
VI. 
Passage of 
the Merd- 
veen. 
