DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0200
KASTALIAN SPRING. 373
order to exhibit the triumph of the cross, over the adoration of
Apollo and the Muses !
The fountain is ornamented with pendant ivy, and overshadowed
by a large fig tree, the roots of which have penetrated the fissures
of the rock, while its wide-spreading branches throw a cool and
refreshing gloom over this interesting spot. At the front of the
spring we were gratified by the sight of a majestic plane tree, that
nearly defends it from the rays of the sun, which shines on it only a
few hours in the day. Homer, in his Hymn to Apollo, mentions the
fount Delphousa at this place; probably meaning the Kastalian.
Above the Phaedriades is a plain, and a small lake, the waters of
which enter a katabathron, or chasm ; and it is probably from this
that the Kastalian spring is supplied. The superfluous water, after
trickling amongst the rocks, crosses the road, and enters a modern
fount, from which it makes a quick descent to the bottom of the
valley, through a narrow and rocky glen, fringed with olive and mul-
berry trees, when it joins the little river Pleistos, and enters the sea
near the ruins of Kirra. While Ave were at Delphi, the Kastalian
spring wras flowing in a copious stream, and formed several small
cascades, the appearance of which was highly picturesque. The
sides of the fountain were covered with fine water-cresses : I gathered
some for dinner, which the poor people observing, asked if they
were medicinal; and when I explained to them how they were to
be eaten, they communicated the discovery to the others ; and the
next morning, I met a party of the villagers returning from the
spring, each with a provision of the newly-discovered vegetable :
they thanked me for the information I had given them ; and,
pointing to their cresses, told me they should for the future give
them the name (ppcwxoxopTov, or the Frank's Herb. The poorer Greeks,
particularly those who live far from the sea, have so little to eat
during their long and rigorous fasts,1 that the discovery of a new
1 The Greeks have one hundred and ninety-one fast-days in the year; but devout people
observe still more. Travellers, sick persons, and children, are exempt, but many refuse any
indulgence.
order to exhibit the triumph of the cross, over the adoration of
Apollo and the Muses !
The fountain is ornamented with pendant ivy, and overshadowed
by a large fig tree, the roots of which have penetrated the fissures
of the rock, while its wide-spreading branches throw a cool and
refreshing gloom over this interesting spot. At the front of the
spring we were gratified by the sight of a majestic plane tree, that
nearly defends it from the rays of the sun, which shines on it only a
few hours in the day. Homer, in his Hymn to Apollo, mentions the
fount Delphousa at this place; probably meaning the Kastalian.
Above the Phaedriades is a plain, and a small lake, the waters of
which enter a katabathron, or chasm ; and it is probably from this
that the Kastalian spring is supplied. The superfluous water, after
trickling amongst the rocks, crosses the road, and enters a modern
fount, from which it makes a quick descent to the bottom of the
valley, through a narrow and rocky glen, fringed with olive and mul-
berry trees, when it joins the little river Pleistos, and enters the sea
near the ruins of Kirra. While Ave were at Delphi, the Kastalian
spring wras flowing in a copious stream, and formed several small
cascades, the appearance of which was highly picturesque. The
sides of the fountain were covered with fine water-cresses : I gathered
some for dinner, which the poor people observing, asked if they
were medicinal; and when I explained to them how they were to
be eaten, they communicated the discovery to the others ; and the
next morning, I met a party of the villagers returning from the
spring, each with a provision of the newly-discovered vegetable :
they thanked me for the information I had given them ; and,
pointing to their cresses, told me they should for the future give
them the name (ppcwxoxopTov, or the Frank's Herb. The poorer Greeks,
particularly those who live far from the sea, have so little to eat
during their long and rigorous fasts,1 that the discovery of a new
1 The Greeks have one hundred and ninety-one fast-days in the year; but devout people
observe still more. Travellers, sick persons, and children, are exempt, but many refuse any
indulgence.