Observations on some parts of European Turkey. 191 



those near Plava. They diminish in height in a direction 

 from west to east. Geographers are right in marking an ob- 

 lique chain, higher than the others, between Bosnia and Her- 

 zegowina. If we imagine, in this inclined surface of the ridges, 

 deep furrows running, some S.E.-N.W., or from south to 

 north, and others from west to east, we have a configuration 

 similar to that of Bosnia, with its chains running S.E.-N.W., 

 or S.SE.-N.NW. These last, however, anastomose by lower 

 ramifications running W.-E. ; so that the small plains and 

 valleys, where towns or villages are situated, are inclosed by 

 walls running S.E.-N.W., and by low ridges running W.-E. 

 Here, as in the Alps and the Balkan, rents running N.-S. give 

 issue to the great rivers, which thus find their way out of the 

 longitudinal valleys. 



This natural citadel is only connected with Turkey by the 

 broken part of the high walls above Novibazar (Jenibazar) and 

 Ipek ; and with Scutari or Maritime Albania by two or three 

 mountain-passes which are still higher, and are rendered dan- 

 gerous owing to the snows above the Plava Lake, and the pre- 

 cipices which occur for nine miles on the bank of the Zem. 

 These last passes lead to Zienitza and Bielopol. If Montenegro 

 were a quiet country, the Turks, when going to Bosnia, might 

 ascend the Moracca river, or cross Montenegro and the high 

 plains of Herzegowina. 



Bosnia, that beautiful Servian-Mahometan Switzerland, is 

 a cold country, whose hills are covered with firs, pine trees, 

 and birches. The plants chiefly cultivated are, barley, oats, 

 Polygonum Jagopyrum^ rye, potatoes, hemp, flax, and plum 

 trees for making brandy. Turkish corn does not grow well, 

 except in the deep sheltered valleys, as north of Sexajevo (Bosna 

 Serai) ; and vineyards only occur near the banks of the Save, at 

 Brod, and at Banjaluka, &c. On the southern higher ridges 

 of Bosnia there is, below the forest of fir and pine trees, a zone 

 of elms, which rises to the height of 3800 feet on the south- 

 em declivity ; oaks occur lower down, and, on the borders 

 of the Albanian low country, there are chestnut trees and 

 vineyards. 



Bosnia, like Centra] and Western Servia and a part of Croa- 

 tia, is entirely composed of my primary Jbrmaiions (the tran* 



