Geogi-aphical and Geological Observations, ^c. 175 



and some parts of llomelia and Maesia Superior. Last year, 

 however, I visited the other provinces of the empire, and direct- 

 ed my attention especially to the eastern and western ranges 

 of mountains, the Haemus, and the Albanian-Bosnian chains ; 

 whilst I endeavoured, at the same time, to complete my know- 

 ledge of the central chains, from the Dardanelles to the Adria*- 

 tic. I now possess nearly 350 barometrical measurements, with 

 corresponding observations made at Belgrade by Mr Math. 

 Ivanowitsch, apothecary ; and I have also obtained a great 

 deal of interesting information from being able to converse with 

 the Turks, as well as the Servians and Bulgarians. 



To the north of the central plateau of Mcesia^ between Pris- 

 tina and Sophia, the limits of Servia are formed from E. to W. 

 by the Jastrebacz (or chain of the sparrow-hawks), the Plocsa, 

 and the Kopaonik. The first-named mountains are only covered 

 by oaks, and higher up by elms, like the hills in central Servia ; 

 but these latter have fir trees near their summits. The great- 

 est elevation of this chain appears to be rather above 5500 feet. 

 The Jastrebacz is a mass of crystalline (primary) slaty rocks, 

 whilst the others consist of transition-slates, with syenite, dial- 

 lage-rock, serpentine, and metalliferous deposits, such as mag- 

 netic iron-ore, &c. South of Mcesia Superior is the Orbelus, if 

 we may be allowed to apply this ancient name to the KurhetsTiO- 

 Plunina^ a pretty large group of hills, situated at the sources 

 of the Bistritza, and having an absolute height of between 4000 

 and 5000 feet. To the west and east of the Orbelus, there are 

 some pretty low chains clothed with oaks, and forming the 

 northern frontier of Macedonia, from Uskup to Dubnitza and 

 Sophia. These hills are chiefly composed of talcose or mica- 

 ceous slates, and scarcely attain an elevation of more than 3000 

 feet : they are sometimes still lower to the west of Kostendil, 

 where they partly consist of transition-limestone, and even 

 tertiary molasse. The Orbelus is a massive mountain of grani- 



rendered by this distinguished geologist to the knowledge of so large a portion 

 of Europe, do not require my feeble praise ; I wish him health, spirit, and 

 perseverance for the continuation of his great undertaking.'' We have only 

 to add, that we heartily subscribe to the opinions here expressed, by so com- 

 petent an authority as Berghaus ; and that we cordially unite with him in 

 best wishes for the future success and prosperity of our traveller.-.£DiT. 



