Cyprus.

CYPRUS .

'"FHE following interesting paper by Major AVilson , Director of the Ordnance Survey - * - of Ireland , was read at the recent meeting of the British Association at Cyprus , and was listened to with close attention . He stated that Cyprus , the third largest , island in the Mediterranean , is situate in the easternmost part of that sea , having Asia Minor to the north and Syria to the east . Cape Cormachiti is about forty-six miles from Cape Anamour , in Cilicia ; and Cape St . Andrea , the north-east point , is about sixty miles

from Latakia , in Syria . Since it became subject to the blighting influence of Moslem ride each year has seen vineyards run to waste , cultivation decrease , and a hopeless state of despondency settle down on the people , until at last the most beautiful and fertile of islands has become in parts almost a desert . For years the land has lain fallow ; but with the influx of British capital and energy the island is capable of again becoming the garden and of tho East . A short time will see the great lain again

granary very p covered with golden corn ; but to replace the vineyards , the olive groves , and the forests , which were once the glory of Cyprus , will require time . The island is chiefly occupied by two mountain ranges , having a general east and west direction . He mentioned that there are three separate peaks , the highest being about 6 , 160 feet . There are ho vines on the summits , which are quite bare , the rock being broken up by the action of the weather . A short distance clown the mountain is the large monastery of Troodissa .

The level ground is covered with gardens and fruit trees , the valleys are green with pasture land , while along the coast line one village follows another in quick succession . It is the richest part of the island , and the fresh sea breezes from the north and the numberless rapid streams from the mountains make it the healthiest . There are no good natural harbours . The chief places of trade at present are only open roadsteads . Salamis and Famagosta are artificial harbours ; the latter could easily be made a good one . Tyrinia , on the north , coast , is a very small and bad port , but the only one on that side of the island . Larnaca , which is built on the site of ancient Citiumis now the

, chief place of trade , and contains 5 , 000 or 6 , 000 inhabitants . Limosadi is the principal export town for wine . Paphos , the residence of Sergius Paulus , is where Elymas was struck with blindness . It is celebrated for the worship of Aphrodite , or Yenus , who was believed to have there risen from the sea . Salamis was called by the Greeks a good harbour ; Jews had Synagogues there . The population of the island is about 144 , 000 , of whom 44 , 000 are Moslems . The Cypriots are dull and stupid , but are very docile and

sober , and their love of home and family is a most favourable trait in their character . The Ojrprian peasants themselves have so little skill and forethought that the most careful government would have some trouble in getting them to work harder and more intelligently . " Cyprian ox" was the term of old used to describe this race , — so stubborn , so wanting in intelligence ; and even at the present day the true Cypriot squats in his native village , surrounded by filth , sticks to his ancient habits and goes no further than he

can help . The climate has been affected by many causes . The forests , which had been the glory of the island , have disappeared . During the period of the Inrkish rule every one cut clown what they wanted ; no one ever thought of replanting . Ihe poorer the people became the more the forests disappeared , and the finishing H l ^ ty Meheniet Ali , who cut down nearly every tree , partly for sale , partl y for shipbuilding , partly for use in Egypt . When the people were asked about disforesting

, they said , " It has always been done in our country "; and when the consequences were pointed out , they said , " The Government wishes it" ; so accustomed were they to abuse the Turks for their own shortcomings . The climate is good , but nere are fevers , just such as attack visitors at Malta , which last only two or three days . ear the end of the great plain there are large swamps , into which the rivers divide int ^ 6 ' antl alS tllUS P revented from reaching the sea . He recommended the ^ reduction of the eucalyptus , or Australian gum tree , a plant which has the effect in Mnpy districts of producing beneficial results , as was instanced in Algeria . It is also