TRAVELS IN THE CRIMEA.

'5

arofe, with the new moon, a violent tempeft, which continuedwith almoft unabated fury, and with little Variation from theNorth-eaft to the South-eaft, tili the middle of March, whenit ceafed with the fucceeding new moon. By this unufual ftateof the atmofphere, Vegetation was evidently checked, both fromthe fevere cold, and the dry nature of cafterly winds ; in-fomuch, that the cornel-tree fcarcely began to flower aboutthe latter end of March ; though, in former years, its bloflbmsoften expanded early in the month of February.

Throughout the winter, however, the cold never exceededten degrees below the freezing point, according to Reaumur'sthermometer; and, though the Bofphorus was feveral timescovered with ice, yet this never become ftationary. On theother hand, the ice drifted from the fea of Azof, flowed thewhole winter, and it ufually continues tili a late period offpring. This circumftance accounts for the coolnefs of theweather during the vernal months; as the ice from the lakes ofLadoga and Onega generally produces a fimilar effecl; at Peterf-burgh, though the rivers in the fouthern parts of Ruflia areopen at an earlier feafon.

The town, which I chofe for my winter-refidence, is knownby two different names. While fubjeet to the government ofthe Tartars, it was called Akmetjhet, or White Church; but,under its new mafters, the ancient Greek name of Sympheropolhas been reftored to a large and charming piain fituated to-wards the North of the old town; and on which are built thePalace of the Governor, and the Halls of Juftice for the xvhole

Crimea.