Adriatic , and the Mountains of Carniola , CarintJiia % <S*c. 148 
of these to Ranten. When we were about to take our seats, In- 
stead of a single sledge we found three, but provided neither 
with a covering nor straw. Each was drawn by one horse, and 
there was only one driver to the whole. Each of us, therefore, 
had the privilege of driving his own obstinate jade, which on no 
account whatever could be made to go out of his usual pace. 
The carriage had nothing in common with our rein-deer sledges, 
but the construction of the under part of it It is raised very little 
above the ground, yet it is sufficiently broad on all sides for you 
to be at your ease ; and we were perfectly secure from breaking 
our necks. Still we could not continue this mode of travelling 
long, for we were almost frozen. We got out at Seethall, and 
left the countryman to proceed where he would with his fare of 
10 batzen. It was now dark, and on no other consideration 
would we have slept here. The warm room was the very bal- 
sam of life to us. But, on entering the dwelling, it was horrible. 
As soon as we had closed the ponderous door, it was as if we 
looked upon the true picture of a den of thieves. The black 
walls were dimly lighted by some scattered chips of wood, so 
that what was in the back-ground could not be distinctly seen. 
Of the many male creatures in the room, two sat on benches, 
the others on tables ; their long uncut hair hanging down in 
front to their chin, and behind over their shoulders. The burn-* 
ing heads of their tobacco-pipes, to which no stem was seen, 
stuck out of their mouths like a second nose from among their 
long lank locks of hair. A large hat, with a very broad rim, 
overshadowed the whole. The females were employed in spin- 
ning by the aid of the feeble light. Nevertheless, we found them 
honest and kind people; the girls amusing us with their pro- 
vincial songs, which lasted till midnight, when we all betook 
ourselves to rest.” 
The road to Tiefenbach, which was passed on the 1 0th, was 
through a country wild and romantic, and the effect of the 
scenery was heightened by the numerous pines and alders which 
were torn up by their roots, by tempests ; and by the whole coun- 
try being covered with snow, whilst the branches of the trees 
were completely bent down by its weight. Still, on the perpen- 
dicular limestone-rocks, the beautiful Gymnostpmum cur viros- 
