Cyprus: Historical and Descriptive

by Franz von Löher

During the time when the silk trade flourished, mulberry trees were objects of most careful attention, and still abound upon the island. The finest and whitest silk is now obtained from the neighbourhood of Famagusta, and Karpasso; the lemon, or sulphur-coloured, comes from Citereau, and most of the northern villages, whilst that made about Baffo is of a golden colour.

The Greek females of some of the towns and villages work exquisite embroidery, and make a kind of silk net, which will bear comparison with the finest European lace. On the west side of the island the peasants distil rose, orange, and lavender water, and myrtle and ladanum oil.

Amongst the birds, snipe, pheasants, partridges, quails, and thrushes are very abundant, as are also most of the birds of passage that make Africa their home during the winter.

Until the commencement of the seventeenth century 150,000 kilderkins of wine were annually produced; whilst at the beginning of the present century, only a sixth part of that quantity was made. The manufacture of wine has considerably increased in the last few years, but principally for foreign consumption. The lower order of Cypriotes find their wine too strong for their heads, and too dear for their pockets, and drink little or none. The taxes upon wine are at present very heavy.

The utilisation of the fruit of the island, as a means of profit is now never thought of; even the celebrated vegetables of Cyprus are now almost unknown, and the inhabitants content themselves with gathering wild cresses, artichokes, purslane, and asparagus. The olive-tree, however, as we have said, is still largely grown, cultivated we cannot call it, as not only the planting, but the gathering the fruit, and expressing the oil, are carried on in the most careless manner. Without the olive, however, sorry indeed would be the fare of the Cypriotes.

Potatoes flourish in the mountainous districts and kolokasia in low-lying regions. Melons, pumpkins, and gherkins are also found in great profusion. During the last forty years, Greek and French enterprise has made various efforts to bring about a better state of things. What may not now be hoped for when this luxuriant island is again under a paternal dominion and the safety of individual rights secured?

At all times, snakes, which, however, are not dangerous, tarantulas, and venomous spiders abounded in the island, and Dr. Clarke gives a forcible description of its insect pests. Speaking of the tarantula, he describes one species of about an inch long, as having “a body of bright yellow, and beset with long and prickly hairs. It runs with prodigious swiftness, and thus more easily escapes its destruction, in which mankind are interested; its bite being very dangerous, and its venom very subtle. The parts which are attacked by it swell in an instant, and occasion excessive pain, followed by death if certain remedies be not speedily applied.”

The cultivation of the sugar-cane is now quite unknown in Cyprus, and the cotton-plant is only grown in a few districts.

It has been erroneously stated that the natives will not touch the flesh of the ox, from the idea that it would be cruel to eat the companion of their labours. Numerous small, but fat cattle are fed on the plains, and their beef enjoyed as much by the Cypriote as by an Englishman. Great numbers of sheep and goats are also reared. The mutton is juicy and tender.