i86 JOURNEY OVER THE TSHATYRDAG, AND THROUGH

nences; but they approach nearer to the Tfhatyrdag, which,on account of its more northern fituation, belongs to the latter,and terminate at an equal diftance of ten verfts from itsnorthern bafis and from the town of Akmetfhet. Althoughthe former mountains occupy a larger fpace between the Salgirand Karaflu, yet they are lower and lefs diffevered ; fo thatin thefe environs the Tfhatyrdag, together with the wholeeaftern quarter of the more elevated heights, may be diftin&lyfeen from Temirdfhi to Sudak. This mount is ftill moreconfpicuous from the fea-fide, where it is completely expofed;becaufe it abruptly declines toward the Valley of Alufhta:hence it may be explained, why the ancient Greek navigatorstook particular notice of it; and, according to Strabo, diftin-guifhed it by the name of Trapezus, or the Table.The road, leading to the Tfhatyrdag, proceeds from Akmet-fhet up the banks of the Salgir to Sultan-Mamut, the refidenceof Batyr-Aga, a defcendant of the family of Oirat, who is themoft refpe&able and opulent Counfellor of State among theTartar nobility. At his houfe all travellers, defirous of afcend-ing the mountain, meet with a hofpitable reception, as well aswith guides and horfes. The country, which we croffed inour way thither, is bounded by moderate calcareous eminences,and in fome parts prefents the moft charming landfcapes. For,not only the fides of the hüls are well covered with luxuriantherbs, but there are in many places fields, cultivated by theinhabitants of the numerous villages that occur on both banksup the Salgir. Among thefe, we noticed the moft remarkable,about twelve verfts from Akmetfhet, on the left bank of theriver, and known by the name of Eikee-Sarai, or the Old

Caftle,