of the Carpathians, than in any other part of Europe. This territory likewise yields iron, copper, lead, and mercury. There are also extensive deposits of coal and of salt. The fine stone, known as the true opal, is found near Kaschan, in Upper Hungary, and is by some authors supposed to be peculiar to this locality.

Returning to our central line, we next trace its prolongation in the Dalmatian range, called also (from Mount Dinara, the highest summit,) the Dinaric Alps. This range, which is situated between Hungary and the Adriatic Gulf, connects the Alpine system with the mountains of Turkey. The latter mountains, called the Balkan, extend from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. These mountains are very wild and rugged, and the higher summits are supposed to be covered with perpetual snow. The most elevated are Mount Argentero and Mount Orbelus. The Great Balkan range in its eastern portion, where it is still known by its ancient Greek name of Hamus, terminates abruptly on the shores of the Black Sea in a fine bold headland, called Emina Bournu, or Cape Eminah. Branches of great extent diverge from the southern side of the Balkan, the most westerly of which separates Roumelia from Albania, sending forth numerous spurs or inferior branches into the latter province, and imparting a peculiarly wild and rugged character to its scenery. The most easterly branch from the Balkan, called the Strandshea range, gradually approaches the shores of the Black Sea, forming the high and rugged coasts of the Bay of Burgos, and terminating in the Sea of Marmora this point also constitutes the European termination of our grand central line.

Extensive branches diverge from the Albanian range, and enter the territory of Greece:

Clime of the unforgotten brave!

Whose land, from plain to mountain cave,

Was Freedom's home, or Glory's grave!

The line of separation between modern Greece and Turkey is chiefly formed by the mountain crests of Chelona, Pin

dus, and Othrys. From the range in which these are situated, various branches extend southwards, reaching to the borders of the Ægean Sea. Among these we meet with the classic names of Helicon, Olympus, and of Parnassus : the latter

Soaring snow-clad through its native sky,

In the wild pomp of mountain majesty.

These mountain ranges enclose numerous basin-shaped valleys of remarkable fertility, frequently only accessible by narrow passes; this configuration of the country having rendered it particularly adapted for the abode of several small independent states. Though changed the character of the inhabitants of this region, its natural productions are still the same as in its days of glory. The orange, citron, vine, olive, and myrtle, still flourish luxuriantly; the true laurel also, or sweet bay; whilst the "empurpled Mount Hymettus," rich in aromatic herbs, is still celebrated for its scented honey. In the centre of the Morea rises the ancient Arcadia, consisting of an elevated table-land, containing in some parts beautiful valleys, but in others presenting districts of a rugged and even somewhat gloomy character, seemingly according better with its present poverty-stricken and care-worn inhabitants, than with the happy sylvan beings with which the imagination delights to people the plains of Arcadia. The elevation of this tableland above the level of the sea, causes it, however, to enjoy a delightful temperature during the summer months, when the plains at its base, suffer from oppressive heat. Its mountains also attract and condense the vapour of the atmosphere; and this either descends in copious dews, or gentle and refreshing showers, and, sinking into the earth, gushes forth in numerous rivulets: and in the spring, its valleys are decked with the primrose and the deep blue violet; the banks of its streams adorned with the true poetical narcissus. The islands of Greece are numerous, and generally partake of the beautifully varied and mountainous character of the contiguous mainland :

Who, O who, hath viewed,

Untouched with rapture, those sunlighted seas,
Fancy's primæval cradle!

Who hath looked

On those bright islands in the Ægean deep,
Nor from each time-honoured shore,

Felt breezes redolent of glory blow!

The Cyclades, though bold and rocky in their character, are nevertheless covered with the richest verdure, and intersected as they are by the waters of the deep, they present scenery of the most varied and attractive description. They are celebrated for their highly valuable statuary marble, that of the island of Paros being esteemed the finest in the world. The small island of Antiparos is remarkable for containing some natural caverns of very singular character, the roofs, floors, and sides being entirely covered with incrustations of alabaster, this being the only known instance of a similar formation. This incrustation is of the most dazzling whiteness, and assumes various fantastic forms; sometimes rising in splendid columns to the very roof, sometimes being suspended from thence in alabaster icicles, sometimes covering the surface with picturesque groups.

The island of Naxos, once celebrated for the worship of Bacchus, is still noted for producing good wine; but at the present day it is perhaps most remarkable for its produce of emery, nearly all the emery of commerce being obtained from this island. The volcanic island of Santorini, and its accompanying cluster, are remarkable for the changes which have at various periods been effected in the whole group, by violent volcanic action.

The richly wooded island of Samothraki, or Samothracia, possesses an interest of totally different character, being mentioned in sacred history as the spot at which St. Paul touched, in his way from Asia Minor to Philippi. This island rises abruptly from the sea, to the height of 5,248 feet, being exceedingly beautiful, and covered with the most luxuriant verdure.

The island of Candia, the ancient Crete, is one of the

N

largest islands in the Mediterranean, and is a spot highly favoured by nature. The interior is mountainous, and Mount Ida towers to a very considerable height; but the coasts are occupied by plains and valleys of unusual fertility, covered with groves of myrtles, plane trees of splendid size, and various other beautiful timber trees.

The Ionian islands, though not of great elevation, are rugged, rocky, and picturesque. The nature of their surface renders them ill-adapted for the growth of corn; but wine and fruits are produced in great abundance. That species or variety of small grape, called the Corinthian*, is extensively grown in these islands, to which, and the Morea, the plant appears to be peculiar. The extensive and fertile, though at present ill-cultivated, plains of Romania, or Roumelia, the ancient Thrace, occupy the space between the mountains of Pindus and the Balkan range. To the north of the latter mountains are situated the plains of Bulgaria, which in some parts are bleak and rugged, and in others are covered with swamps and marshes, though a large portion of the country exhibits considerable beauty and fertility.

Beyond the river Danube spread the vast plains of Wallachia and Moldavia, which may be regarded as forming part of the great lowland of Europe. These plains are flat and marshy, on the districts bordering on the Danube; but as they recede from that river, (and more especially in their western parts, where they extend to the base of the Carpathian mountains,) the country becomes diversified and picturesque. The almost innumerable stagnant pools that occur in these plains render them unhealthy. This territory, in its more level parts, experiences an excessive climate; the summers being exceedingly hot, and the winters of such severity, that the Danube is usually at that season so completely and firmly frozen over for six weeks, as to bear the heaviest carriages. And yet, these plains are

*

Corrupted into currants, and largely imported into this country, in a

dried state.