Handbook to the Mediterranean; Its Cities, Coasts, and Islands - For the Use of General Travellers and Yachtsmen Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ...eastern half of the island, and valonia acorns, so valuable for their quality of fixing dyes, are only grown in the neighbourhood of Rethymo. The olive tree is seen everywhere, but attains its largest size in the western district of Selino. Being never pruned, but allowed to grow in its native luxuriance, groves of these trees form a beautiful feature in the landscape. The oil is largely used by the natives as an article of diet, though most unpalatable to Europeans. There are several varieties of wine manufactured, all very strong; the best is that grown at Haghios Myron, in the district of Malevesi near Candia. It was formerly celebrated under the name of Malvoisie or Malmsey, a name immortalised in English history in connection with the death of Clarence. The plant producing this wine was introduced into Madeira by Henry II. of Portugal, and is the parent of the modern Madeira to which, when well matured, Malmsey bears a certain resemblance. Although vineyards cover a large extent of land, and the production of wine is so great that it is sold in the wineshops at twopence a bottle, while its wholesale price is scarcely more than half that price, very little is exported. Sport.--Crete is generally thought to be well stocked with game, but the traveller will be wofully disappointed if he comes with that impression. Partridges (the Greek red-legged) and hares may indeed be found in every part of the island, but seldom in large numbers, while in the neighbourhood of the towns, and notably of Suda Bay, the country is so denuded of game as to afford small chances of a day's sport. This arises from the number of natives who seek to earn a few piastres by supplying the market of Canea with game, for which there is always a demand among the...