228 GERMANY. 



separates it from Bohemia, commences immediately to the north of the Danube. 

 An inferior range of crystalline formation, and partly wooded, stretches along the 

 river, attaining a height of 3,000 feet, with summits rising several hundred 

 feet hio-her. This range, known as the Bavarian Forest, is separated by the 

 lono-itudinal valley of the Regen from the more elevated range usually called the 

 Bohemian Forest. The Arber (4,841 feet) and Rachel (4,782 feet), the cul- 

 minating points of this range, rise within the Bavarian frontier. We have 

 already seen how formidable an obstacle this wooded region has at all times 

 proved to the march of armies. Only one good pass leads across it, connecting 

 the Bavarian town of Furth with Taus in Bohemia. Farther north the Bohemian 

 Forest is less elevated. 



The Fichtelgebirge — " Pine Mountain " — a protuberance of granite and 

 gneiss pierced here and there by basalt, forms the north-eastern boundary of 

 Bavaria. It is by no means very elevated, but, owing to its rugged nature, its 

 inclement climate, sterile soil, and sparse population, has at all times proved a 

 serious obstacle to the free intercourse between North and South Germany. The 

 rivers which rise in these mountains — the Main, a tributary of the Rhine ; the 

 Naab, a feeder of the Danube ; and the Saale and Elster, which both flow to the 

 Elbe' — indicate the position of the most favourable locality where they can be 

 crossed. This gap lies close to Bohemia, between the Ore Mountains and the 

 Fichtelo-ebiro-e, and from the most remote time it has maintained its rank as an 

 important highwa}^* 



The mountains which extend from the Fichtelgebirge to the westward attain 

 their highest elevation outside the political borders of Bavaria. Only one group 

 of mountains lies almost wholly within Bavaria, viz. the Spessart, or " Wood- 

 pecker's Forest," culminating in the Geiersberg, or "Vulture Mountain" (2,017 

 feet). The Main almost encircles the Spessart before it continues its course 

 towards the Rhine. The climate of this mountain group is rude, its inhabitants 

 are poor, but the forests of beeches and oaks are magnificent, and game, including 

 wild boars, deer, and wild cats, is plentiful. Formerly it was haunted by 

 brigands. 



Wide plateaux • separate the basin of the Danube from that of the Main. 

 These plateaux are a continuation of the Swabian Jura, which towards the north- 

 east assumes the name of Franconian Jura. Much broader than that of Wiirttem- 

 berg, the Bavarian Jura is far less elevated, and it does not terminate in a range 

 of cliffs, as does the Rauhe Alp. It is intersected by narrow gorges, which 

 present great facilities for the construction of roads. Its surface is diversified by 

 the remains of ancient atolls, and by cavities formed by volcanic explosions. The 

 plain of the Ries, in the centre of which stands the town of Nordlingen, is thus bounded 

 on all sides by hills exhibiting violently contorted strata, and its fertile soil results 

 from the decomposition of igneous rocks. The Bavarian Jura presents the same 

 geological features as the other parts of the system. It, too, abounds in fossils. 

 One of its upper beds furnishes the famous lithographic stones of Solenhofen, the 

 * The Schjieeberg, 3,587 feet, is the highest summit of the Fichtelgebirge. 



