PARNASSUS. 221 
ascend Parn'assus, by the pass of Schiste, having chap. 
lofty precipices on either side of us; and upon 
our right, very high among the rocks, we ob- 
served several caverns as we rode along the 
defile. The remains of the old pavement of the 
f'la Sacra are seen in different parts of this 
route, and indeed the whole way from Lebadta 
to Delphi. The road, now become stony and 
very bad, was rendered the more difficult, by 
offering a continued acclivity, until we arrived 
at a part of it immediately under the summit of 
Parnassus ; which preserves its primitive 
appellation of Lycorea, now pronounced Lahura. 
This mountain is inhabited by an industrious 
race of men, who cultivate the vales, and even 
the sloping sides, to a very great height above 
its base. Where its sides are very steep, they 
plant vineyards, opposing walls to the torrents 
from the rains or melting snows, that the hopes 
of the husbandman may not be washed away. 
We were now at six hours' distance from 
Lehadea : and here the road began to descend; 
the streams from Parnassus taking their course 
in an opposite direction down the other side of 
the mountain; so that Delphi was evidently 
not situate upon the side towards Bceotia. This 
descent continues uninterruptedly for four 
hours, through the boldest scenery in the world. 
