Adriatic , and the Mountains of Carniola , Carmthia, <§c. 139 
clothed from head to foot, we cannot withstand the temptation 
of ascending, even during the present inclement season. In 
proceeding thither, when you go forth from the new gate of 
Saltzburg, and look towards the south, and see before you the 
whole range of mountains in their white gala dress, their sides 
clothed with pine forests, also the lofty Gohl, you will behold 
indeed a magnificent sight, and confess that the situation of the 
city of Saltzburg is singularly beautiful.” 
46 The kind people at the Stone-bridge of Untersberg recei- 
ved us in the most friendly mariner, and invited us to dine with 
them. In the afternoon we hastened to the Prince’s Well, to 
see this famous spring in its winter-attire. Hitherto we have 
been directing our attention to the romantically grand and sub- 
lime in scenery, enjoying the sight of the beech and maple trees 
loaded with snow, and of the torrents rolling over beds of vast 
stones. But now we must examine its smaller details : “ Cum 
omnia circa nos torpescunt et langueseunt, cum flumina rigent, 
nemora silent, campi latent nivibus obrecti, ubique luctus, re- 
rum facies decolor et tristis mortis imago ; musci inter vegeta- 
tionis ruinas emergentes et sericeo colore fulgentes, rupes et la- 
pides obducunt.” To the truth of this, the steep face of the 
rocks now bore witness. Here, among other mosses, we found 
Bartramia (Ederiana , Neckera crispa , Tortula tortuosa , and 
Mnium ( Bryum ) rostratum , all in the finest state of fructifica- 
tion. The soft bed of the spring presented us with another 
spectacle, for it was entirely covered with large specimens of the 
rare Gymnostomum aquaticum of Hedwig ! What botanist can 
have an idea of our pleasure at this glorious sight ! Often had 
we regretted our inability to behold,^ like Rohde, the celebrated 
fountain at Vaucluse *, the favourite spot of the poet Petrarch, 
and there to gather the Gymnostomum aquaticum. Now we 
have met with it in a spot which may be supposed to be of greater 
interest to us even than Vaucluse. 
66 This was the first botanical harvest that we had made in 
* No where does this charming moss grow in greater plenty and perfection, 
than at the fountain of Yaucluse, whence wc have numerous specimens.— Ed, 
