13

TRAVELS IN THE CRIMEA.

obliged us to reft at this place, which, beiide a mofque, ormet/het, has a medrefs^ or fchool.

Early on the 30th of Oclober, after once more changinghorfes at Mentlertfhik, fixteen verfts from Abiana, we arrivedabout noon at Sympheropol, a town twenty-fix verfts diftantfrom the former place. Here my friend, M. Taranof, receivedme in the raoft obliging manner, and accompanied me to thewinter-refidence that had been prepared for my family.

Nothing can be conceived more gratifying, after an irkfomejourney over barren and uniform plains, than a view of moun-tains, and a country prefenting hüls and beautifully variegatedwoods, which are occafionally interfected by the whimficalmeanders of rivulets. In addition to thefe charms, the moun-tainous part of the Crimea alfo offers an uncommon variety ofdelightful profpeds, in the advanced autumnal feafon. Theagreeable furprize we experienced, on arriving at the pleafantvalley which is watered by the little river Salgir, may be eafilyimagined; efpecially as our expectations were raifed ftill higher,by the view of diftant and more elevated mountains.

The fine, and often very warm weather, which prevailedduring the whole of November, and continued tili December,afforded me frequent opportunities of collecting, at this late fea-fon, the feeds of feveral rare plants; while the veftiges of othersinfpired me with new hopes of purfuing my botanical refearcheswith greater ardour in the enluing (pring. The impaired ftateof my health, however, fet bounds to my zeal: for I had fofeverely fuffered during my long journey, that I could butfeldom venture abroad; and was therefore obliged to pafs themonths of December and January within doors, in order to

recover fome degree of ftrength.

The