198 REPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 
sort of epitome of that of Germany and Switzerland. The 
Romans knew the forest as the Sylva Marciana, forming the 
south-west corner of the great Hercynian Forest, which extended 
through the middle of Germany, the length of which is estimated 
by Cesar wt sity days’ march. odern geographers reckon the 
Black For d from the Rhine near Bale in the south-west, 
up to Brachall and Pforzheim on the north-east ; on the west it 
is bounded by the wide plain forming the Rhine valle ey, and on 
the east it dies away gradually in the high table-land of Wiirtem- 
The number of its inhabitants amounts to about half a million, of 
grand duchy of Baden. It is divided into the upper Black 
Forest, bene the Rhine at its southern extremity, and the 
valley ‘of the Kinsi sig flowing by Offenburg, where the hills attain 
a mean height of 3,000 feet above sea level. The lower portion, 
from the valley of the Kinsig northwards, has a mean height of 
2,000 feet, and its highest points reach only to some four or five 
hundred feet more. Asa rule, the hills rise abruptly from the 
oe valley on their western side and sink gradually in other 
ctio 
The accounts left by the Romans people the Black Forest with 
horrors of all kinds, and possibly Sironee _— traditions has its 
_ evil name been handed down to o own The earliest in- 
et until the whole district was peopled. “The hi hest in- 
a part of the Forest is about 3,940 feet above the nee? of 
sea. The gradual process of peopling has in many cases been 
oo out by means of ancient documents, showing that se be 
due to the monks, who in seeking out spots retired and free 
disturbance, set an example which was followed by many neigh 
bouring propriet ors. in ties 
so the Black Forest changed its aspect. Already oa 
15th Deatry it is apoken of as thoroughly peopled and cult 
In the following century an ancient chronicler speaks of it 
rough and cold country, mostly covered with pine forests, i pe 
through the industry of its inhabitants, producing a fair am wd 
corn, and better cattle than Hungary, Poland, Bohemia 
Switzerland ; nor does he forget to mention its medici 
other s springs, k oetey before by the Romans, but at this eee 
