FROM TIRNAVOS TO SAMARINA means always the 'winter at
all,
case.
33
In 1910 there was practically no hills, until March, when snow fell In 1911 there was severe cold in
except on the
in the Thessalian plain.
January and February, and as late as the beginning of May Throughout the summer violent fell on the lower hills. thunderstorms are not uncommon in the Samarina district, and the Thessalian hills. They begin usually shortly after noon and last only for an hour or two, and Leake records the same phenomena as existing also in Aetoha and Epirus. The fact is that there are two separate climates in Greece, and the southern In the plains towards the east part of the Balkan peninsula. and south from Seres as far as Messenia there is a dry, warm southern climate. In the hills to the north-west and in Upper Macedonia there is a climate which may be called Central European, with short summers and winters, but with long The effect of this on the country is most springs and autumns. important, for it enables what may be conventionally called a northern race to flourish to some extent in latitudes suitable A careful examination of the flora to mediterranean man. and fauna of the regions referred to would possibly lead to the same conclusion. Wednesday, June 1st. Though we awoke soon after sunrise, several hours elapsed before the mules were collected, and it was 9 a.m. when we started from Ghrevena in a long line that was a good four miles from end to end. Our own party had been increased by the addition of a new mule, a purchase at the fair, which was said to be nervous, and had an uncertain temper. Just beyond the outskirts of Ghrevena we left the metalled road that goes towards Yannina, and turned up a muddy track over low hills covered with thick woods of stunted oaks towards Mavronoro. Mavronoro is a Kupatshar village, and to judge by appearances prosperous. The houses are strongly built of stone, and have few windows on the ground
snow
—
floor 50 as to
be capable of defence.
Round
the village are
vineyards, and orchards of plums, pears, apples, cherries
walnuts.
The inhabitants
live
by
and bad the younger men have agriculture
or
in
seasons brigandage, though of late begun to emigrate to America mainly owing to the conscription 3