OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA.

5*

The fupply of provifions from the adjacent villages is verydeficient, on account of the apprehenfions which the Tartarsentertain of the failors; fo that every article is fold at an ex-travagant price. At prefent, Ruflian dealers purchafe cattle onthe fteppe, and drive them to market; but formerly butcher'smeat was fold cheaper by mariners, who then enjoyed moreliberty, and often reforted to illicit methods of procuring it.Their common flaughtering places were in thickets, on themountains of Inkerman; whence the meat was convenientlyfent to town. This illegal fpot was generally known from thelarge brown vultures hovering around it in circular flights.Rye-meal and fifh are the only articles that are here moreplentiful, and fold at lower prices than in other parts of theCrirnea: the former, on account of the numerous feamen, aswell as foldiers, felling their fuperfluous allowance; and thelatter, becaufe the failors of almoft every man-of-war obtainpermiflion from their Commander to employ the long boat withoars, for the purpofe of taking fea-fifh, and felling them in themarket. Among thefe, particularly the Mugil Cephalus, thefmaller mackarel, or Pelamys ; then a diminutive fpecies of thered mullet, or Mullus barbatus, enter the harbour in confiderablefhoals. A few years fince it was likewife difcovered, that thisport is frequented by oyfters. The ceconomy prevailing inthe farms eftablifhed by officers, who encourage the rearing ofpoultry and hogs, has alfo contributed to furnilh thefe twoarticles of confumption. The fmall quantities of hay madein a few low grounds, and carried thither by the Tartars fromthe mountains, are fo inadequate to the fupport of the horfesand cows kept by the inhabitants of Akhtiar, that frequently

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