CASSO, CASOS, or CASUS, the name of one of the Cy clades islands in the Mediterranean. It is about three leagues in circumference, and is surrounded with seve ral islands of a smaller size. The part of the island which is cultivated is divided into portions, and shared among the inhabitants, who, by great toil and industry, have rendered it surprisingly fertile. Though the ground is stony, yet barley and wheat are raised, and a very good wine is obtained from the vines. The land is sown at the beginning of the rainy season, which continues from Oc tober to February, and the crops are cut clown in March. Excepting between October and February no rain falls, the air is remarkably pure, and the temptm.ature is ren dered delightful by the breezes from the sea. When their services are not required for the purposes of agri culture, the men are engaged in trade with the different islands in the Archipelago, from which they supply the deficiency in the produce of their own island. The wo men of the island, who wear a jacket, a sash-, and a long cotton robe, are principally employed in spinning cotton, or embroidering, and in making the fine linens which form their dress. Poultry, eggs, rice, and wine, are the prin
cipal articles of their food. The men dine together seat ed upon a carpet, and the women have a separate apart ment to themselves. The principal amusements are dancing and music. " The population of this island," says Sonnini, " entirely composed of Greeks, is not con siderable. The island is little frequented by shipping, its roads being difficult of entrance, and its shore dan gerous of access. The inhabitants are but the more happy and free. The Turks seldom venture to go thi ther, to exercise the despotism with which they over whelm the countries subject to their empire ; and in deed those Greeks of Casso, more independent and more secure in their property, are more laborious than else where." See Savary's Travels, and Sonnini's Travels in Greece and Turkey, chap x. p. 134. (T)