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have no idea of sparing animals during the breeding season。 The present
government have protected them by a total prohibition； under a penalty
of ten pounds to be inflicted upon any person discovered in killing
them。 In the absence of all keepers or guardians of the forests； it
would be difficult to prove a case； and I have no doubt that the natives
still attempt the sport； although from the extreme wariness of the
animals they are most difficult to approach。 The authorities should
employ some dependable sportsman to shoot a certain number of rams which
are now in undue proportion； as the ewes with young lambs have been an
easier prey to the unsparing Cypriotes。
Absurd opinions have been expressed concerning the numbers of moufflon
now remaining upon the island； and it would be quite impossible to
venture upon a conjecture； as there is a very large area of the
mountains perfectly wild and unoccupied to the west of Kyka monastery；
extending to Poli…ton…Khrysokus； upon which the animals are said to be
tolerably numerous。 There are some upon the Troodos range； but from all
accounts they do not exceed fifteen。
On 2nd July I started at 4 A。M。 with a shepherd lad for the highest
point of Troodos； hoping by walking carefully to see moufflon among some
of the numerous ravines near the summit； which are seldom invaded by the
flocks of goats and their attendants。 I took a small rifle with me as a
companion which is seldom absent in my walks； and although I should have
rigidly respected the government prohibition in the case of ewes； or
even of rams at a long shot that might have been uncertain and
hazardous； I should at the same time have regarded a moufflon with good
horns at a range under 150 yards； in the Abrahamic light of 〃a ram
caught in a thicket〃 that had been placed in my way for the purpose of
affording me a specimen。
On arrival at the top of the ridge above the monastery the view was
superb。 We looked down a couple of thousand feet into deep and narrow
valleys rich in vineyards； the mountains rose in dark masses upon the
western side； covered with pine forests； which at this distance did not
exhibit the mutilations of the axe。 At this early hour the sea was blue
and clear； as the sun had not yet heated the air and produced the usual
haze which destroys the distant views： and the tops of the lower
mountains above Omodos and Chilani appeared almost close beneath upon
the south； their vine…covered surface producing a rich contrast to the
glaring white marls that were cleared for next year's planting。 The top
of Troodos was not visible； as we continued the ascent along the ridge；
with the great depths of ravines and pine…covered steeps upon either
side； but several imposing heights in front； and upon the right； seemed
to closely rival the true highest point。
As we ascended； the surface vegetation became scanty； the rocks in many
places had been thickly clothed with the common fern growing in dense
masses from the soil among the interstices； the white cistus and the
purple variety had formed a gummy bed of plants which； together with
several aromatic herbs； emitted a peculiar perfume in the cool morning
air。 These now gave place to the hardy berberris which grew in thick
prickly bushes at long intervals； leaving a bare surface of rocks
between them devoid of vegetation。 There was little of geological
interest； gneiss and syenite predominated； with extremely large crystals
of hornblende in the latter rock； that would have afforded handsome
slabs had not the prevailing defect throughout Cyprus rendered all
blocks imperfect through innumerable cracks and fissures。 A peculiar
greenish and greasy…looking rock resembling soapstone was occasionally
met with in veins； and upon close examination I discovered it to be the
base of asbestos。 The surface of this green substance was like polished
horn； which gradually became fibrous； and in some specimens developed
towards the extremity into the true white hairy condition of the
well…known mineral cotton。
We were near the summit of the mountain； and arrived at an ancient camp
that had been arranged with considerable judgment by a series of stone
walls with flanking defences for the protection of each front。 This was
many centuries ago the summer retreat of the Venetian government； and it
had formed a sanatorium。 This extends to the summit of the mountain；
where fragments of tiles denote the former existence of houses。 In the
absence of water it would have been impossible to adopt the usual custom
of mud…covered roofs； therefore tiles had been carried from the low
country。 It is supposed that the stations fell into decay at about the
period of the Turkish conquest。
A rattle of loose stones upon the opposite side of a ravine suddenly
attracted my attention； and two moving objects at about 230 yards
halted； and faced us in the usual manner of inquiry when wild animals
are disturbed to windward of their enemy。 The rocks were bare； and their
cafe…au…lait colour exactly harmonised with that of the two moufflon；
which I now made out to be fine rams with large and peculiar heads。
Motioning to my shepherd lad to sit quietly upon the ground； upon which
I was already stretched； I examined them carefully with my glass。 Had
they not been moving when first observed I should not have discovered
them； so precisely did their skins match the rocky surface of the steep
inclination upon which they stood。 They remained still for about two
minutes； affording me an excellent opportunity of examination。 The horns
were thick； and rose from the base like those of the ibex； turning
backwards； but they twisted forward from the first bend； and the points
came round towards the front in the ordinary manner of the sheep。 Like
all the wild sheep of India and other countries； the coat was devoid of
wool； but appeared to be a perfectly smooth surface of dense texture。 It
was too far for a certain shot； especially as the animals were facing
me； which is always an unsatisfactory position even when at a close
range。
I put up the 200 yards sight； and raised the rifle to my shoulder；
merely to try the view； but when sighted I could not clearly distinguish
the animal from the rocks； and I would not fire to wound。 My shepherd
lad at this moment drew his whistle； and； without orders； began to pipe
in a wild fashion； which he subsequently informed me should have induced
the moufflon to come forward towards the sound； instead of which； they
cantered off； then stopped again； as we had the wind； and at length they
disappeared among the rocks and pines。 It would be almost impossible to
obtain a shot at these wary creatures by approaching from below； as they
are generally upon high positions from which they look down for expected
enemies； and the noise of the loose rocks beneath the feet of a man
walking up the mountains would be sure to attract attention。 The only
chance of success would be to pass the night on the summit of Troodos；
and at daybreak to work downwards。
I made a long circuit in the hope of again meeting the two rams； during
which I found many fresh tracks of the past night； but nothing more。
The summit of th