FLORA OF DALMATIA. 11 
though these can hardly be deemed dangerous, when my 
carriage was the only one that had ever left a track on 
this road. Besides, it is but lately that a wheel-carriage 
has been known here. An unwieldy chest, constructed of 
poles, and placed on cylinders of a hollow tree, often in the 
form of a polygon, and drawn by oxen, has hitherto been the 
only cart, waggon, or carriage used. I arrived at Smilsich 
in a few hours after leaving Karin, passing by cultivated fields 
of Vines, Olives, and Mulberry-trees, alternating with Indian 
Corn and Potatoes, that demonstrate the practicability of agri- 
cultural improvement, if the will existed in the natives. Even 
here the rude inhabitant does not lay aside his arms, when fol- 
lowing the plough or collecting the harvest; you may see him 
gathering in the scanty grain with the dagger (**handschar") 
and pistols in the girdle, and a Turkish firelock on his back; 
while the miserable walls into which the crop is collected, 
answer, at the same time, for dwelling-house, barn, and 
stable. No new plant did I find between Smilsich and Zara, 
whither I went by Zemonico. The country became more 
and more barren as I approached this capital of the district; 
and it was impossible to help wondering what could have in- 
duced the natives to make choice of such a spot, till a reflec- 
tion on the security afforded to it by a strongly fortified 
isthmus, a little port, and the sea, gave an explanation. I shall 
say nothing now of the environs and Flora of Zara, which for 
four weeks I have been examining in the sweat of my brow, 
but that it is very interesting, and contains much novelty, 
Meanwhile, I send some seeds, which I beg may be commu- 
nicated to the Garden at Munich, with my respects to pro- 
fessor Von Martius. You shall soon hear more of the vicinity 
of Zara, and of my journey over the whole of Dalmatia. I 
have met with some amateur botanists, whom I encourage; 
and have joined Dr. Visiani, and persuaded him to transmit 
the description of his newly discovered Dalmatian plants to 
the Botanical Society for publication, which he has done. 
_ The next letter is dated from ** Trieste.” 
