82 FLORA OF DALMATIA. 
which I could go from place to place, to investigate such spots 
as no botanist ever visited before; my harvest of collections 
threatens to drive me out of the house, and as I cultivate all 
the most interesting plants in the garden, I am thereby en- 
abled to examine them the more accurately. 
Nothing causes me more regret than that the total seclusion 
of this place cuts me off from all opportunity of knowing what 
is done in science elsewhere; that there should be no book- 
seller here is not a matter of surprise; but the difficulty of com- 
munication by land where no post-carriages travel, and the 
slowness and uncertainty consequent on sending by sea, almost 
render it impossible to obtain a book in this remote corner 
of the globe. I may, however, mention one class of botanists 
whom the traveller must not pass unheeded; which is the rude 
Morlacks themselves. Like all men in an uncivilized states 
they live constantly abroad, and are more attentive observers 
of nature than might be imagined; they give proper names 
to the plants, and are diligent industrious collectors. An old 
Pandur at Macarsca, who, in 1818, accompanied Mr. Porten- 
schlag to the top of the Biocovo, still remembered correctly 
this summer all the habitats of the interesting plants which 
that botanist had found, and could point them out to me again. 
It is sufficient to show a dried specimen to a Morlack, or to 
describe it correctly to him, and you may be sure of obtain- 
ing it. Many collectors have adopted this plan for pro- 
curing interesting plants with security and ease, especially 
in the Cattareser district, where not a step can be taken with- 
out an escort. It has frequently happened in my solitary 
rambles that I have been surrounded by many obliging Mor- 
lacks, who being very curious, immediately guessed at my 
object, and in their eagerness to assist me, brought, unasked, 
their caps full of flowers, grasshoppers, butterflies, or spiders. 
(the insects certainly in a very mutilated state,) or with their 
spades dug up living plants or helped me to catch lizards 
and snakes, which they know perfectly well, and are aware 
whether they are poisonous or not. You must be prepared, 
however, for a host of queries, for they want immediatly t? 
