DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5542#0310
296
MISLI.
[Chap, xlvii.
road was marked by numerous deep and parallel furrows,
worn into the rock, and at nearly equal distances; these
have been caused by the constant passing of strings of horses
or camels keeping the same tracks over the bare rock.
At half-past seven we reached Misli, a small village, almost
underground, being built on the soft peperite, into which
the houses are partly dug. The place contained between
200 and 300 houses, all inhabited by Greeks independent
of the Turkish authorities, and subject only to the Bishop
of Nigdeh. The inhabitants pay no taxes to the govern-
ment; but work gratuitously in the lead-mines of Maden
Dagh, distant five or six hours to the E.S.E. This at
least used to be the practice, but now they are said to pay
their contributions to the mines, and miners are procured
from Gumishkhana. The Greeks of Misli never leave
their village or travel in search of employment elsewhere,
and neither men nor women are allowed to marry strangers.
Thursday, August 3.—We started from Misli soon after
six, crossing a large sandy and barren plain, covered with
pebbles of quartz, and sloping a little towards the moun-
tains in the S.E. These must be of very great elevation,
as the snow extended far below the summit. I was told
that ruins existed at their base; Cybistra and Castabala
should be sought for in that direction. At the foot of these
hills two large villages were pointed out, bearing nearly
south, four or five miles off, called Seimen Dere and Boula-
gatch. As we advanced, the plain became more cultivated,
producing large crops of corn, and at a quarter before nine
we commenced a very gradual descent. Immediately a few
springs rose on our left, which, forming a stream, and
giving freshness and verdure to the grass, flowed away
S.W. towards Nigdeh and Bor, irrigating in its course
numerous gardens, and fields of corn, flax, and beans. The
valley became gradually better cultivated, poplars and
willows flourishing along the banks of the stream. At a
quarter after ten we passed the ruined village of Amos on
our right, near which the valley and meadows widened con-
MISLI.
[Chap, xlvii.
road was marked by numerous deep and parallel furrows,
worn into the rock, and at nearly equal distances; these
have been caused by the constant passing of strings of horses
or camels keeping the same tracks over the bare rock.
At half-past seven we reached Misli, a small village, almost
underground, being built on the soft peperite, into which
the houses are partly dug. The place contained between
200 and 300 houses, all inhabited by Greeks independent
of the Turkish authorities, and subject only to the Bishop
of Nigdeh. The inhabitants pay no taxes to the govern-
ment; but work gratuitously in the lead-mines of Maden
Dagh, distant five or six hours to the E.S.E. This at
least used to be the practice, but now they are said to pay
their contributions to the mines, and miners are procured
from Gumishkhana. The Greeks of Misli never leave
their village or travel in search of employment elsewhere,
and neither men nor women are allowed to marry strangers.
Thursday, August 3.—We started from Misli soon after
six, crossing a large sandy and barren plain, covered with
pebbles of quartz, and sloping a little towards the moun-
tains in the S.E. These must be of very great elevation,
as the snow extended far below the summit. I was told
that ruins existed at their base; Cybistra and Castabala
should be sought for in that direction. At the foot of these
hills two large villages were pointed out, bearing nearly
south, four or five miles off, called Seimen Dere and Boula-
gatch. As we advanced, the plain became more cultivated,
producing large crops of corn, and at a quarter before nine
we commenced a very gradual descent. Immediately a few
springs rose on our left, which, forming a stream, and
giving freshness and verdure to the grass, flowed away
S.W. towards Nigdeh and Bor, irrigating in its course
numerous gardens, and fields of corn, flax, and beans. The
valley became gradually better cultivated, poplars and
willows flourishing along the banks of the stream. At a
quarter after ten we passed the ruined village of Amos on
our right, near which the valley and meadows widened con-