HERACLEOTIC MINOR PENINSULA. 279 
balcony, formed in the rock, upon the very c HA p - 
face of one of the principal precipices, whence ' — * — ' 
the depth below might be contemplated with 
less danger. Vultures far beneath were sailing 
over the valleys, not seeming to be larger than 
swallows. Below these, appeared the tops 
of undulating hills, covered by tufted woods, 
with villages amidst rocks and defiles, but at 
a depth so intimidating, that our blood became 
chilled in beholding them. We afterwards found 
the remains of churches, and of other public 
buildings, among the ruins; and these were 
more perfectly preserved than might have been 
expected in the Russian empire : but the cause 
is explained, in the difficulty of their access. At 
length, being conducted to the north-eastern 
point of a crescent (which is the natural form 
of the summit whereon the citadel of Mankoop 
was constructed), and descending a few stone 
steps neatly hewn in the rock, we entered, by 
a square door, into a cavern, called, by the ^ 
Tahtars, The Cape of the Winds. It has Capcoftiic 
been hewn, like the rest, out of the solid stone ; n " uh ' 
but it is open on four sides. Judging from the 
amazing prospect which is here presented of all 
the surrounding country, this cavern probably 
served as a place of military observation. The 
apertures, or windows, are large arched chasms 
ffi the rock : through these a most extensive 
