62 Dr Boue on the Geography and Geology of 



Cerastium, Myosotis, Saxrfraga, Crocus, &c. are the chief 

 plants which are met with at the greatest elevations, some of 

 which, as is the case with the Skordus of ancient writers, ex- 

 ceed 7000 feet in height ; but this last, however, can be crossed 

 in a day. 



2. The chain named by geographers Rhodope or Despotodagh, 

 begins between Dubnicza and Dzumaa or Djumaa. This very 

 large chain runs N. W. and S. E., or W.N.W. and E. S. E., 

 diminishing always in height in an easterly direction. It tra- 

 verses the Sea of Marmora at the island of that name, and con- 

 tinues in Asia Minor till it takes the name of Taurus. The 

 western part of the Rhodope is the highest, and is called 

 Riloplanina and Rilodagh, and farther to the east it takes the 

 names of its great valleys. The name of Despotodagh (Chain 

 of the Ecclesiastics) originated from the convents of Greek monks 

 situated in this chain, and which formerly contained 5000 monks. 



The Perin-dagh) which lies between Djumaa, Melmik, and 

 Nerro-kup, is only a higher part of the Despotodagh, which ex- 

 lends south of Philippopolis. It is probable that the highest 

 summits of these chains attain an elevation of 7000 feet. When 

 seen from a distance, they have a bold appearance, especially on 

 the northern side, where there are only small alluvial hills at 

 their base ; but, on the contrary, they diminish in height as they 

 approach the sea. These hills are much wooded in the central 

 and higher parts, having the oak below, and the larch (Larin 

 europcea), together with the fir-tree, higher up ; to which suc- 

 ceed the alpine'pastures and the bare summits. They form, from 

 Dubnicza to Stanimak, and thence to Seres, the central nucleus 

 of Romelia, a very strong military position. This natural for- 

 tress can only be approached, through the defiles or passes : it 

 still includes, as advanced stations, all the hilly country between 

 the lower Strymon and the lower Vardar, and the great extent of 

 wild hills in Karatova, and thus commands the important posi- 

 tion and high-road of Egri-Palanka. It is only separated by 

 the Vardar Valley from the chains between the Vardar, the 

 Black Drina, and Castoria. Among these last hills may be men- 

 tioned a pretty high one, running nearly E. and W., north of 

 Fiorina, Vodena, and Monglena, and south of Gafadartzi. 



3. The group of hills, almost unknown, which occupies a large 



