TO RHODES. 263 
noticed in oardens about the town. Lemons chap. 
VII. 
were very abundant ; but oranges not so com- ■ 
mon. We purchased the former at the rate of 
about three shiHings for a thousand, notwith- 
standing the very great demand then made for 
them to supply the Brituh fleet. The island of 
Cos is very large, and for the most part consists 
of one barren mountain of limestone; of which 
substance almost all the Grecian Islands are 
composed. There are few parts of the world 
where masses of limestone are seen of equal 
magnitude and elevation. Some of the principal 
mountains exhibit no other kind of stone, from 
their bases to their summits. The Greek sailors 
of our vessel, who accompanied us upon this 
expedition, caught several land-tortoises ; which, 
being opened, were found to be full of eggs. 
The sailors described them as the most deli- 
cious food in the counti*y. Small vessels, 
freighted with these animals, go to supply the 
markets of Constantinople. We saw the process 
of cooking and dressing them, after we returned 
on board; but could not so far abandon our 
prejudices as to eat them. 
A poor little shopkeeper in Cos had been Crrccic 
mentioned, by the French Consul, as possessor sciins. 
of several curious old books. We therefore 
went to visit him; and were surprised to find 
