10 Vegetation of Dalmatia. 



deed, I am convinced of it by seeds from Portugal, whicli have 

 been raised and have borne flovv^ers. I cannot distinguish An- 

 dropogon pubescens from A. hirtus of the Abruzzi : the first is 

 more or less hairy, according to the dryness of the soil in which 

 it groM^s. Asperala canescens I have never seen. Herniaria 

 rotundifolia is nearly allied to H. hirsuta. ^nthriscus Cerefolium 

 I have never found. Ornithogalum saxatile is identical with 

 Ornith6galum garganicum, if we except a larger and more vi- 

 gorous growth, which difference may probably arise from the 

 soil. Silene Thomasinz, Vesicaria mlcrocarpa, and Satureja 

 parviflora, have never come under my observation. Astragalus 

 argenteus deserves to be strictly compared. I can discover no 

 difference between Z/athyrus stans and Zy. inconspicuus tS)?r^/?g. ; 

 nor between ^chille« argentea and A. Clavennce. I have never 

 found Centaur^a cuspidata and punctata, nor Picris laciniata. 

 But I do not mean, by these observations, to impugn any of those 

 professors of botany and learned men who have so distinguished 

 themselves in the science ; I only mean to give my opinion, as is 

 permitted to every one, and only wish that it should call forth 

 more exact investigation, which cannot but prove conducive to 

 the interests of science. Besides, Dalmatia, like all uncivilised 

 countries, is but little known ; and it may be safely concluded, 

 that, as the flying excursions which botanists have lately made 

 have offered so much novelty, probably half only of its botanical 

 treasures have been discovered ; and, as there is always some- 

 thing in flower at every season of the year, and the plants so 

 quickly go out of bloom, a botanist should pass the whole year 

 in Dalmatia, in order to make his researches. But, to give an 

 idea of the richness and variety of the flora of this country, it 

 may be sufficient to say, that, without moving from the spot where 

 I found myself, I was able to collect twenty-one different species 

 of plants, of which two only are found in Germany. It would 

 require many years thoroughly to examine Dalmatia ; but the 

 obstacles which the country, as well as its inhabitants, opposes to 

 the traveller, are immense. The whole of the frontier of Bos- 

 nia, as well as the Velebit and the Buccovitza, could only be 

 visited with a strong military escort. It is almost impossible to 

 set foot in the frontier of Monte Negro and the Cattarese dis- 

 trict. It is more easy to see the coast ; and the islands are the 

 best to explore ; yet even these are almost unknown. But what 

 must the traveller resign himself to, who enters upon this un- 

 dertaking ! He must give up the idea of all shelter, food, or 

 the slightest accommodation : not even water will he find, or 

 bread, unless he carries it with him. To encounter such a jour- 

 ney, he must know the language and customs of the Morlachens, 

 and furnish himself with the best introductions, and with an 

 escort. Under these circumstances, Dalmatia will long remain 



