第 16 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9321
  us with rose and orange…flower water as we passed; the omnipresent dogs
  yelled and barked with their usual threatening demonstrations at the
  heels of our animals; and some from the low roofs of the houses were
  unpleasantly close to our heads。 We were now among the conical mounds;
  along the steep sides of which a path of about twelve inches width
  appeared to invite destruction; as the loose crumbling material rolled
  down the deep incline beneath the hoofs of the sure…footed horses and
  mules。 These creatures had a disagreeable habit of choosing the extreme
  edge of the narrow ledge; instead of hugging the safer side; and
  although no great precipice existed; the fall of thirty feet into the
  rocky stream below would have been quite as effectual as a greater depth
  in breaking necks and limbs。 We again entered a village; where a large
  plane…tree formed the centre of a small open space; faced on either side
  by a cafe; the situation being attractive during summer from the dense
  shade afforded by the spreading branches。 There were many people sitting
  in the open shed; who as usual rose and made their salutations as we
  passed。 The path became worse as we proceeded; and we at length emerged
  from the long string of contracted villages and skirted the precipitous
  sides of the ravine; which formed one of the innumerable gorges between
  the conical mounds of marls and alluvium that had been washed from a
  higher level and worn into heaps by the action of rain upon the unstable
  surface。
  About a mile beyond all villages we skirted the stream along a steep
  bank; from which point we looked down upon the roofs of houses more than
  a hundred feet below; and we at length halted and dismounted at a rocky
  termination of the gorge; from whence issued suddenly the celebrated
  spring of Kythrea。
  The mountains rose abruptly upon either side; and a dry ravine above the
  rocks upon which we stood exhibited the natural channel by which in
  heavy rains the surface…water would be conducted to the lower
  stream…bed。 A rough arch of masonry and a tunnel in the rock for about
  forty feet formed the embouchure; from which the water issued into a
  carefully constructed stone aqueduct; which led directly to the first
  mill of the Kythrea series; about a hundred and twenty yards distant。
  The temperature was considerably warmer than the air; but I had no
  thermometer to mark the difference。
  The aqueduct would have carried at least one…third more than the present
  volume; which was about twenty…six inches deep; and three feet in width。
  The water was beautifully clear and the current rapid; but I had no
  means of measuring the velocity。
  The stone…work of the aqueduct; always moist from the percolation; must
  form a charming exhibition of maidenhair ferns during summer…time; as
  the crevices were all occupied by plants; whose leaves; even at this
  season (February); were several inches in length。
  We strolled up the dry ravine above the spring; and ascended the hill to
  an extensive plateau; upon which grew two or three caroub…trees; here
  was a sudden change; the soil was red; and we entered the compact grey
  limestone (jurassic) which forms the Carpas range。 On the extreme verge
  of the plateau of red soil we had an admirable example of the formation
  of the conical mounds of earth; two or three of which already existed;
  while others were in process of development from the melting…away of the
  soil during heavy rains。 As the surface dissolved under the action of
  rainfall; it flouted down the steep inclinations; until a base was
  formed; at the expense of the upper area; by degrees gullies were
  created in the rear; and these would rapidly become deeper under the
  action of running water; until they reached the lower level of the base。
  A circle thus formed; an apex would be the natural result of the
  denudation and decay of the upper surface which would produce a cone。 A
  sudden shower compelled us to take refuge beneath a caroub…tree whose
  dense foliage saved us from a thorough soaking。 The ground having become
  slippery; we returned upon our narrow and soapy route with some caution;
  but the careful animals who were well accustomed to these dangerous
  paths carried us safely to our camp。
  It is extraordinary that the water…power of Cyprus has of late years
  been so neglected by the authorities; as the island must from ancient
  times have mainly depended upon its springs in the absence of dependable
  seasons。 Kythrea is an example of the importance that was attached to a
  stream of running water; as the town was established by the Athenians;
  and in former ages an aqueduct of masonry extended for twenty…five miles
  to Salamis; in the neighbourhood of which ruins of the old work are
  still existing。 If the seasons of Cyprus have undergone a change since
  the forests have been destroyed; I can see no reason for the innumerable
  vestiges of ancient water…works throughout the country。 Wherever an
  important spring existed; there was a settlement of corresponding extent
  and value; which suggests that the rainfall was even then as uncertain
  as at the present day。 Every spring became a centre of attraction。 The
  ruins of the ancient Kythrea have been partially excavated by the
  indefatigable General di Cesnola; but with unimportant results; as the
  ground is under artificial irrigation; and is in the highest
  cultivation; therefore it cannot be disturbed。
  The chief industry of modern times which adds to the importance of
  Kythrea; is the production of silk; from the great abundance of
  mulberry…trees which supply the necessary food for the silkworms; but it
  has suffered to a considerable degree; in common with most silk…growing
  districts in Cyprus; by the want of foresight of the producers; these
  people have within the last few years sold the seed in such extravagant
  quantities to the traders of Beyrout as to leave the island with a short
  supply。 The result of this sacrifice for the sake of ready money is a
  serious reduction in the general produce; and in many portions of the
  island the mulberry…trees are flourishing without a silkworm to feed
  upon them。 The thirty…two flour…mills of Kythrea are worked by a fall of
  400 feet between the head…water of the spring to the base of the lowest
  mill at the foot of the mountains。 It appeared to me that much water is
  wasted by an absence of scientific control。 A series of reservoirs would
  store the excess during the hours when the mills are idle (similar to
  the mill…ponds in England); but as there is no municipal law upon this
  important subject; the all…important stream is much neglected。 There is
  a general demand for grinding…power throughout Cyprus; the corn is
  brought from great distances to the mills of Kythrea at a considerable
  expense of transport; I have met droves of mules laden with wheat and
  barley on their way from Larnaca; to which distant spot they would again
  return when their loads should have been reduced to flour。 In the face
  of this difficulty a general want of energy and of the necessary capital
  is exhibited by the total neglect of wind…power; in a country where a
  steady breeze is the rule; with few exceptions。 Throughout the great
  plain of Messaria windmills would be invaluable; both for grinding
  purposes and for raising water; nothing would be more simple than the
  combination of the wind…vane with the cattle…pump; but this great and
  almost omnipresent power is absolutely ignored。
  On our return to camp in the evening; I resolved to have a quiet day
  with my dogs on the following morning; when I could stroll at my leisure
  over the mountains; and enjoy myself thoroughly according to my own
  tastes; sometimes obtaining a shot at game; and observing every object
  in nature。
  It was 15th February; and with a native guide and interpreter who spoke
  Arabic; which was my medium of dialogue; I started to cross the
  mountain…range upon the east of the well…known five…knuckled…top named
  〃Pentadactylon。〃 At the expense of repetition I cannot help extracting
  from my diary the exact words of description rough from the first
  impulse: 〃The base of this range is an extraordinary example of the
  action of rainfall in melting and washing down into conical mounds
  several hundred feet high; what was originally a high level of
  continuous but alternating strata of marls and alluvium that had
  descended from the higher mountains。 These vast masses are in a chaotic
  confusion of separate heaps; which at a distance resemble volcanic
  cones。 We rode up precipitous paths edging upon deep chasms between
  these conical hills; and emerged upon metamorphous rocks and shale
  mingled in curious irregularity。 The strata of shale were in some
  instances nearly vertical; proving the disturbance that had been
  occasioned by a subsequent upheaval。 About 200 feet above this formation
  we entered upon the dark grey jurassic limestone; and the soil became a
  rich red like that of South Devon。 The rock scenery was very imposing as
  we increased our altitude and arrived upon plateaux of considerable
  extent。 There can be no doubt that these natural terrace…like surfaces
  and various hollows accumulate the rainfall of a great area; and that
  some vast subterranean caverns in the limestone