BOHAIR. [AISNE.]

BOHAIR.

BOHEMIA (in German, Böhmen), also termed Böheim in many ancient records, derives its name from the Boii, who once occupied the parts about the sources of the Elbe and Moldau. It now constitutes a kingdom forming part of the empire of Austria, comprising Bohemia Proper; the margraviate of Moravia, and that small portion of the duchy of Upper Silesia which was not ceded to Prussia under the treaty of Hubertsburg in 1763 properly belong to it, but they now form a distinct province of the Austrian empire. The margraviates of Upper and Lower Lusatia also formed part of the Bohemian dominions, until the treaty of Prague in 1635 transferred them to the electorate of Saxony. The details which we are about to give will be confined to the territory generally known by the designation of Bohemia; which is an irregular quadrangle in the south-east of Germany, extending between 48° 33′ and 51° 5' N. lat., and 12° and 16° 46' E. long. it contains an area of 20,013 square miles, which is more than two-thirds of the area of Ireland or Bavaria. It is bounded N.W. by the kingdom of Saxony, N.E. by the Prussian province of Saxony, and by Austrian and Prussian Silesia, S.E. by Moravia, S. by the archduchy of Austria, and S.W. by the kingdom of Bavaria. The whole circuit of Bohemia is estimated at about 810 miles, of which 165 lie next to Prussia, 294 to Saxony, and 175 to Bavaria so that 176 miles only of this circuit are skirted by other parts of the Austrian dominions.

Surface, Population, &c.-The kingdom of Bohemia is now divided into seven circles, which, with their respective areas and populations, are as follows:

There are in the kingdom 289 towns, 278 smaller towns and places having markets, and 12,079 villages. The inhabitants are 220 to a square mile.

Bohemia is inclosed on every side by lofty and in parts wild and dreary mountains. On the west side, and from a point close upon the Fichtelgebirge, issue two ranges, the one taking a north-east and the other a south-east direction. The first of these ranges, which separates Bohemia from Saxony, and may be termed 'the left arm of the Sudetsch chain,' is known under the name of the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). It runs to the left bank of the Elbe between Tetschen and Schandau, and is neither precipitous nor of a wild character, but with few exceptions wooded nearly to its summit. Its ridges form an undulating line, here and there broken by gentle depressions. The short slope is towards Bohemia, and the longer one towards Saxony. The highest points of this range are the Schwarzwald, or Sonnenwirbel, near Joachimsthal, 4125 feet (or according to Hallaschka 4005 feet only); the Lesser Fichtelberg, near Wiesenthal, 3999, or according to some 3709 feet only; the Kupferberg 2749 feet, towards the southern end of the range; and the Schneeberg, near Tetschen on the

GEOG. DIV. VOL. II.

BOHEMIA.

Elbe 2291 feet at the northern end of the range. The western and south-western borders of Bohemia are defined by the Bohmer-Waldgebirge (Bohemian Forest Mountains). The Sudetsch chain, of which the principal range is more peculiarly designated the Sudetengebirge (Sudetsch Mountains), extends from the right bank of the Elbe as far to the eastern side of Bohemia as Grulich. Certain portions of this range bear particular names; such as the north-western, called the Isergebirge (Mountains of the Iser), and that small portion lying next to the Elbe, which is called the Lausitzer Bergplatte (Mountain plateau of Lusatia).

In the last-mentioned quarter the loftiest summit on the side of Bohemia is the Tafel-fichte, which lies at the extreme point of the Bohemian frontier next to Silesia and Saxony, and according to Gersdorf has an elevation of 3780 feet. Commencing from the eastern side of the Iser, the frontier line between Bohemia and Silesia runs along the crest of the remaining and principal arm of the Sudetsch chain, termed the Riesengebirge (Giant Mountains), a name frequently applied to designate that chain in general. Seen from a certain distance this range describes a waving line, with a few elevated points, which present the appearance of having been cut short off at their upper extremities. The highest of these abrupt and naked summits is the Riesen, or Schneekoppe (Giant or Snowcap), 5058 feet, upon which a circular chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence has been erected. Next in height are the double-capped Brunn or Bornberg, and the Great Sturmhaube (Tempest-hood); the former of which is 5000 and the latter 4700 feet above the level of the sea. The Sudetsch chain, which runs south-south-east to the vicinity of Grulich, is called the Glatz Mountains (Glatzischegebirge), the waving outline of whose occasionally cap-crowned ridge forms a pleasing object to the eye. Its highest point, though it belongs rather to Moravia than Bohemia, is the Grulich or Spieglitz Schneeberg; but the most elevated on the Bohemian side are the Deschnay, Hohekoppe, or Grenzkoppe, as it is also termed, which rises to the height of 3748 feet above the sea, and the Marienberg near Grulich, to which The highest ranges of the some assign an elevation of 4545 feet. Sudetsch Mountains consist of primitive formations, and are in some parts rich in ores: those of inferior height are composed of clay-slate and limestone, intermixed with beds of coal; and the offsets of lower elevation are formed in some parts of quartz and sandstone, and in others of grauwacké and basalt.

A lower range runs along the south-eastern boundary of Bohemia, termed the Bohemian-Moravian Mountains, and forms a connecting link with the Glatz Mountains towards the north, and with the Mannhart Mountains in the archduchy of Austria towards the south. This range, which is of moderate elevation and gentle ascent, separates the basins of the Elbe and Moldau from those of the Danube and the March.

The range which runs nearly north-west and south-east, and forms the boundary-line between Bohemia and Bavaria and part of Austria, is known by the name of the Böhmer-Wald-gebirge (Bohemian Forest Mountains), which is wholly of primitive formation, and characterised by naked and precipitous features and deep ravines. Towards Bavaria its slope is extremely abrupt, but on the Bohemian side the descent is gradual; and on this side the loftiest heights are the Heidelberg, whose summit forms a spacious plateau at an elevation of 4500 feet, the Kubani, or Boubin, 4218 feet high, and the Dreissesselberg (Mount of Three Seats), on the boundaries of Bohemia, Bavaria, and Austria, 3798 feet. This mountain range presents a

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considerable obstacle to intercommunication between the inhabitants occupying the country on its opposite sides. Its western descent is very steep; the glens and valleys are narrow, rugged, and often swampy. Few roads traverse it. On the Bohemian side of the mountains the population is principally composed of Czeches: the German inhabitants are very few. Many rivers descend from this range: some of them go to the Danube and send their waters to the Black Sea; others fall into the Elbe and go to the North Sea. On the side of Bohemia the principal rivers are the Moldau, one of the chief sources of the Elbe, and two of its most considerable affluents, the Wottowa, with the Wolinka, and the Beraunka. Metals are found in many parts of the range; gold occurs in small quantities; silver is more abundant, and worked profitably; lead and iron are largely wrought. Antimony, zinc, cobalt, and cinnabar are common. Coal occurs, but only in few places on the Bohemian side.

Bohemia is also intersected by several ranges of inferior elevation; the northern, called the Northern Ball, or Trapp Mountains, spreads in various directions; and the more southerly, called the Midland Mountains, which are arms of the Bohemian Forest chain, consist of the Beraun, Moldau, Euler, and one or two other ranges.

The interior of Bohemia presents an undulating surface, very frequently studded with high and pointed eminences, but with a general slope towards the centre of the country. The most extensive plains are in the provinces of Königgratz and Chrudim, from Neustadt to the Nassaberg acclivities. The country is full of valleys and mountain passes, among which we may mention the delightful valleys of the Elbe and Beraun; but the deepest is the Riesengrund or Giant's Glen among the Giant Mountains.

Hydrography, Communications.-The whole of Bohemia being at a considerable elevation, its rivers rise either within or close upon its borders. The Elbe (the ancient Albis, or the Labe of the Bohemians) traverses the north-east part of the country. It originates in the junction of two brooks, the White-water and Elbe-brook, whose sources lie 10 miles apart in the Giant Mountains; it descends as an impetuous torrent into the hill-country, receives a multitude of minor streams in its course, and assumes a blood-red tint after heavy showers, which is particularly remarkable in the neighbourhood of Josephstadt and Königgratz. It forms in many parts a rich alluvium by the overflowing of its banks, and quits Bohemia after a course of about 190 miles at Herrenskretschen, near Schandau, where it enters the kingdom of Saxony. Its sources are 4000 feet above the level of the sea, while its bed, at the point where it leaves the Bohemian territory, is not more than about 287 feet above it. Its principal tributaries within the borders of Bohemia are the Moldau and Eger. The Moldau rises from the Black Mountain (Schwarzberg), in the Bohemian Forest Mountains, close upon the confines of the Bavarian bailiwick of Wolfstein it first flows south-east, and when it has reached Rosenberg, at the southernmost extremity of the kingdom, takes a northerly direction through the heart of the country, and falls into the Elbe near Melnik, after a short bend to the east. The Moldau, termed the Witwa by the natives, runs for about 280 miles before its junction with the Elbe it generally runs between steep rocks, and at its confluence with the Elbe is nearly as broad as that river. From Budweis, where it becomes navigable, to Prague, its length is about 130 miles, and from Prague to Melnik about 18 miles. Its breadth at Prague varies from 250 to 286 paces; and the height of its surface, which is 1511 feet at Krummau, declines at the bridge in Prague to about 529 feet. The Eger, called the Cheb by the Bohemians, rises on the east side of the Fichtelberg in the Bavarian circle of the Upper Main, whence it soon after enters Bohemia and flows eastward for about 80 miles until it joins the Elbe on the west bank near Theresienstadt. The minor tributaries of the Elbe are the Aupa, the Erlitz or Adler, which rises near Königgratz and skirts the principality of Glatz in Prussian Silesia for a short distance, the Mettau, which flows from the vicinity of Josephstadt, and the Iser, which descends from the south slope of the Giant Mountains, not far from Brandeis. The streams that join the Moldau are the Luschnitz, which flows from the neighbourhood of Moldautein, the Wottowa or Watawa, which flows from the Bohemian Forest Mountains, and for some distance first bears the name of the Widra, the Sazawa or Czazawa, whose source lies near Hradishka, and the Beraun or Beraunka, which rises near Königsaal. The whole drainage of Bohemia finds an outlet through the narrow pass of the Elbe at Herrenskretschen. As this outlet, independently of its confined width, bears evident marks of violent disruption, and as every other side of Bohemia is walled in with mountains, it has been conjectured that the whole of Bohemia must at one time have formed an immense lake, which has been drained by a disruption taking place at the point where the Elbe ceases to be a Bohemian stream. Among the numerous falls of water in Bohemia the most interesting are those of the Elbe, of the Moldau across the Devil's Wall, and those in the vicinity of Neuwald.

Though full of small pieces of water, Bohemia has no lakes. There are several large swamps and morasses, particularly the Servina swamp (or Gezera), between Brür and Postelberg, and the Slatina swamp near Doran on the Eger; a considerable portion of the first of these has however been drained and converted into pasture land.

The roads throughout Bohemia are generally well made, and kept in excellent order: the length of the public roads is upwards of 1700

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miles. The only passenger railway in Bohemia is a portion of the great Austrian line described under AUSTRIA, which connects Vienna with Dresden, Berlin, and the other chief cities of Germany and the continent generally. This line enters Bohemia from Saxony near Bodenach and runs southward to Prague (80 miles), whence, under the title of the Prague, Olmutz, and Vienna railway, it runs nearly east to Böhm-Trubau (101 miles), where it turns southward to Vienna; a few miles south from Böhm-Trubau it quits Bohemia. At BöhmTrubau, a loop-line which passes by Olmutz diverges eastward, and shortly afterwards quits Bohemia. There is also a line chiefly for minerals from Budweis southward to Linz and Gmuden; the carriages are drawn by horses, and passengers are not conveyed on that part of the line which belongs to Bohemia.

Geology, Mineralogy, &c.-The geological character of Bohemia has been sufficiently described under AUSTRIA. From Zippe's Survey it would appear that the whole of the mountains which inclose Bohemia are of primitive formation, with the exception of two points, the one in the north where the Elbe quits Bohemia, and the other in the north-west, about Braunau and Trautenau, which are of a later formation. A very extensive formation of sandstone is observed in the heart of the country; and there is one most remarkable mass, the Steinwald, near Adersbach, which is nearly 5 miles in length and above a mile in breadth. It stands at some points in compact masses, and in others is shaped into lofty columns, pyramids, cones, &c., forming immense labyrinths. In many parts again there are hills and mountains composed of a solid mass of basalt.

Bohemia contains large masses of quartz, granite, and sandstone; precious stones, particularly the celebrated Bohemian garnet or pyrope, rubies, sapphires, topazes, chrysolites, amethysts, carnelians, chalcedonies, and agates; limestones, beautiful marbles, porcelain earth, slates, potter's clay, between twenty and thirty species of serpentine, basalt, porphyry, &c. The mountain districts yield gold (though now but a small quantity) and silver, quicksilver, tin, lead, iron, bismuth, zinc, cobalt, arsenic, manganese, nickel, chrome, &c. Of salts Bohemia furnishes native alum, natron, several kinds of vitriol, and almost every variety of officinal salts from its mineral springs; and as common salt is extracted from some of the springs it has been inferred that beds of rock-salt exist in some quarters. Considerable strata of sulphurous slate, as well as coals, have been found, and in some directions peat-turf is dug; black-lead of good quality likewise frequently occurs. The country is extremely rich in mineral waters, and several of them are in great repute of such as are publicly known there are upwards of 160. At the head of the ferruginous springs are the Franzens Brunnen near Eger, the three springs at Marienbad, and that at Giesshubl; among the alkaline springs are those of Carlsbad and Teplitz, one at Marienbad, and others at Bilin, Liebwerda, &c.; there are bitter waters at Sedlitz, Saidschitz, and Püllna; sulphurous springs at Teplitz, Soberschan, &c.; aluminous and vitriolic springs at Stecknitz, Mocheno, Zlonitz, &c.; carbonic acid waters at Carlstadt; and saline springs at Schlan and in other places. The virtues of the springs of Carlsbad, as well as the beauty of the adjacent scenery, have placed that spot at the head of the baths of Germany, and acquired for it the designation of the Pearl of Bohemia.' The temperature of some of them at the moment of their first emission is not less than from 59° to 60° of Reaumur (about 165° of Fahrenheit); that of the springs of Teplitz is 30° (98° Fahr.); the Franzens Brunnen near Eger not more than 9° or 10° (54° Fahr.). A large quantity of mineral water is annually exported from the Bohemian springs.

Climate, Soil, Productions, &c.-The elevation of the interior of Bohemia and its remoteness from any coast, for it is nearly equidistant from the Baltic and Mediterranean, give it a clear and salubrious atmosphere and general constancy of weather. The climate naturally becomes keener and bleaker as the chains of mountains which encircle Bohemia rise in height. The regions about Gottesgab (God's Gift) in the Ore Mountains are considered the coldest in Bohemia, and there are few months of the year in which there is not need of fire; nor will grain ripen in them. In the Bohemian Forest range, where the snow frequently lies 12 feet deep, and does not disappear until the middle of April, as well as in those parts of the province of Budweis which are saturated with moisture, there are many districts in general covered with woods or forests which are not habitable. The mean temperature at Prague is 7° Reaumur (47° Fahr.), whilst on the elevated site of Rehberg it is not more than 43° (41° Fahr.). In the neighbourhood of Reichenberg, where the harvest is two or three weeks later than in the low country, the highest degree of heat has been found to be 12° Reau. (59° Fahr.), and the severest degree of cold 6° (18.5° Fahr.). The prevalent winds blow from west to some points north, and from west to some points south. These winds, according to Diask, invariably bring dry weather in winter but wet in summer; the more southerly their point of departure in summer the finer the weather. In winter it is precisely the reverse, they being usually accompanied by rains and thaws. On the other hand the nearer to the north their point of departure the more frequent and the more violent are the storms by which they are attended."

The soil of Bohemia varies considerably in productiveness, but it is nowhere entirely sterile except in certain parts of the Bohemian

Forest, on the Ore, and Giant Mountains, those lands along the banks of the Elbe, particularly from Kunieritzerberge to Königgratz, which are coated with drift sand, and in some of the districts where swamps abound. The rest of the low country is in general rich and productive, particularly the province of Saatz. No soil in Bohemia is however more fertile than that which has been formerly the site of large sheets of water, its deep black loam being highly favourable to the growth of wheat, rye, and barley. Bohemia produces almost every description of grain and pod seeds, but no maize. The culti vation of the soil is however susceptible of great improvement. The land is divided into estates of vast magnitude; and the peasantry are held in servitude and derive little benefit from their labour, and consequently feel little interest in it. The quantity of arable land in 1846 was 6,105,995 acres; of meadow and garden ground 1,421,072 acres; of pasture land 997,575 acres; of vineyards 4462 acres; and of forests and woodland 3,758,987 acres. The quantity of wheat raised in 1846 was 1,234,126 quarters; of rye 2,999,345 quarters; of barley 1,703,687 quarters; of oats 2,834,169 quarters; and of potatoes 21,034,349 bushels. Among other productions flax is grown in every circle, but of various qualities, and hemp is raised in some few quarters; vegetables, nuts, liquorice-root, chicory, excellent hops, &c.; rape-seed is also largely cultivated for the sake of the oil. Fruit abounds in all parts except the more elevated districts; the vine is only cultivated along the valleys of the Elbe and Moldau. The finest orchards, or rather groves of fruit-trees, exist in the vicinity of Neustadt above the Mettau; whole woods of plum-trees are met with near Melchowek, Weltrus, and other spots. Bohemia is in fact a large exporting country for apples, quinces, dried plums, pears, cherries, &c., though less so than formerly. Bohemia is celebrated for an excellent kind of hops, of which the produce is considerable; those grown in the province of Saatz, and next to these the hops cultivated in the provinces of Rakonitz, Bunzlau, and Pilsen, are in highest esteem: considerable quantity is annually exported. Beet is cultivated to some extent in order to meet the growing demand for the beet-root sugar manufacture. The border mountain ranges, from which however some of those which adjoin Moravia must be excluded, contain rich supplies of timber and fuel. Mosses, particularly the Iceland sort, herbs, grasses, and medicinal plants, many of them of rare occurrence elsewhere, are plentiful in the mountain regions.

Bohemia has a very superior breed of horses. This breed, though not of large size, has undoubtedly the advantage over that of any immediately adjacent country from its loftier stature and finer limbs: the number is about 150,000. The supply of horned cattle, amounting to about 250,000 oxen and 700,000 cows, is not adequate to the home demand. The native race is in general small and of inferior shape; and on account of the insufficient supply, large importations are made from Poland and Moldavia. The sheep, of which there are about 1,500,000, afford excellent wool. The stock of goats and swine is abundant. Poultry, particularly turkeys and geese, are reared everywhere; honey and wax are produced in all the circles. The stock of game has fallen off in those quarters where the population has increased; it cannot however be termed scanty, and Bohemia still possesses stags, deer, hares, wild hogs, pheasants, and partridges in abundance. Some of the wild animals, such as bears, wolves, and lynxes, continue partially to infest certain districts, chiefly those adjoining the Bohemian Forest Mountains. The fox, marten, polecat, weasel, and squirrel also inhabit the Bohemian woods. Birds of prey abound. Considerable supplies of fish are obtained not only from the rivers and brooks, but from the extensive ponds in various parts of this country; amongst them is the salmon, which finds its way from the North Sea into the Moldau and Wottowa. The mountain streams are full of trout; and eels and craw-fish are found in many rivulets. The Moldau contains a mussel from which pearls are extracted, which are also obtained in the Wottowa and White Elster, near Steingrun, in the district of Eger.

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Manufactures, Trade, &c.-Bohemia is one of the most manufacturing countries in the Austrian territory; and the northern provinces, especially the parts adjacent to Reichenberg, Rumburg, and Trautenau, where the rawness of the climate or an indifferent soil is unfavourable to agriculture, are the principal seats of manufacturing industry. The glass of Bohemia has been in repute for its cheapness, lightness, and durability ever since the 13th century in 1837 it employed 3500 families. In that year there were 75 glass-houses and 22 grinding and polishing mills. The chief seats of the manufacture are Silberberg, Adolphshütte, Libenau, Georgenthal, and Defereck; the polishing is for the most part done at Leitmeritz. The best mirrors and enamelled wares are produced at Neuhurkenthal and Bürgstein. The cultivation and working up of flax constitutes a chief means of subsistence among the inhabitants of the highland districts. Many parts of the districts adjoining the northern and eastern ranges of mountains form one continued manufactory of linens, in which thousands of humble cabins perpetually resound with the noise of the jenny or loom; 500,000 hands at least (a considerable proportion at their leisure hours only) are said to be employed in the manufacture of yarn, and as many as 55,000 weavers in that of linen; above 1000 individuals depend on the making of tapes and ribbons, and 20,000 on lace-making. But this branch of manufacture is less productive than formerly, in consequence of the progress making in that of cotton. Much cotton-twist

of the inferior numbers is spun by machinery at and near Neumarkersdorf, Wernstadtl, Rothenhaus, Joachimsthal, Schönlinde, &c. ; but the higher numbers are imported from England and the archduchy of Austria. The weaving of plain calicoes is principally carried on about Leitmeritz, Bunzlau, Ellbogen, and Gitschin; the finer descriptions are manufactured in the same quarters, as well as at Prague; and cotton-printing, which has greatly advanced of late years, is best done at Cosmanos, Reichstadt, Jung-Bunzlau, and Prague. The number of pieces made throughout Bohemia is said to be upwards of 100,000, over and above what is produced by machinery. In 1848 there were 445,714 spindles and 8284 persons employed in cotton-spinning. About 18,000 persons are said to be employed in making hosiery. There are 500 bleaching-grounds, and many of them, particularly that at Landskron, are on an extensive scale. The cotton manufacture however, like most of the manufactures of Bohemia, is mainly upheld by the protective system of the Austrian government. The potash manufactories employ a large number of hands. Large quantities of worsted stuffs and woollens of an inferior quality are made. Reichenberg is the great seat of manufacture for the middling descriptions of Bohemian woollens. It has been estimated that the trade in wool and woollen manufactures affords subsistence to upwards of 70,000 individuals. Of silks the manufacture is inconsiderable, and it is almost wholly confined to Prague. Leather and manufactures from it give employment to many hands. The manufacture of china has been brought to much perfection at Schlaggenwald, Ellbogen, Pirkenhammer, and in other places; and that of earthenware is carried on in several parts of the country. Iron ware is somewhat largely made; steel, cutlery, and needles are manufactured principally, and of the best quality, at Prague, Nixdorf, and Carlsbad. Bohemia also possesses copper and tin manufactories, but so little brass is made that it depends for its supply on the archduchy of Austria. The number of paper-mills exceeds 100. Onethird at least of the population of Bohemia depend upon manufactures for the chief means of subsistence. The Imperial tobacco manufactory at Sedlitz supplies the whole country with tobacco. The manufacture of beet-root sugar, as already mentioned, appears to be on the increase. The total value of the articles manufactured in Bohemia in 1841 (the latest year for which we have an official return) was 14,168,0002. Few branches of industry are more valuable to Bohemia than the working of its mines; and although the produce of the precious metals has declined, the whole annual supply of these mines, which is estimated at above 200,000l., has not fallen off in value. The quantity of gold and silver now principally got near Przibram, Joachimsthal, Eule, and Balbin is but small compared with what was obtained in the 16th century, when the mines yielded as much as 1,090,900 marks, or about 9,917,300 ounces of silver, up to the year 1589 alone. Quicksilver has hitherto been found only in the form of cinnabar; the copper-mines have ceased to be productive; those of tin (and it may be here observed that Bohemia is the only part of the Austrian dominions where it is found) have greatly declined. The lead-mines, principally situated about Przibram, Mies, and Bleistadt continue to yield abundantly. The iron-mines, the richest of which lie in the districts of Harzowitz and Ginetz in the district of Beraun, and in that of Pilsen employ several thousand hands; but the article is inferior to the Styrian and Carinthian iron. Quarries are worked in every part of Bohemia; and there is scarcely a district in which lime is not prepared. Marble is obtained at Steinmetz; sandstone in several places; the Przilep, Breitenstein, and other quarries yield excellent mill-stones; large quantities of basalt are worked into form for building and paving at Parchen, Rodau, &c.; quartz of superior quality is got at Böhmisch-Aicha, Weisswasser, Giesshügel, and elsewhere. Among the precious stones found in Bohemia, the celebrated garnet, which is equal to that of the East in brilliancy as well as colour and hardness, is principally found at Swietlau in the province of Czaslau, and Dlaschkowitz in the province of Leitmeritz. The produce of the coal-mines has greatly increased of late years; and coal is in much greater demand in consequence of the increasing price of wood, particularly in the northern provinces. The southern parts of the province of Rakonitz, in particular, furnish a coal of very superior description. Graphite, or black-lead, is found near Krummau and Swojanow, and is extensively worked; but is far inferior to the English. About 4000 cwt. of sulphur are annually obtained, and vitriol and sulphuric acid are prepared from the residue.

Bohemia, which possesses peculiar facilities for internal and external intercourse by means of the natural lines of communication of the Elbe and Moldau, carries on an active trade with the other parts of Austria, and with foreign countries. Its exports are chiefly of mineral products (principally glass), which are in value about onefourth of the whole; of vegetable productions, the value of which is somewhat higher; and of animal products, particularly wool and quills. Prague is the centre of the chief commercial and money transactions, for which its situation peculiarly fits it. Much benefit has accrued to the country from the establishment of a periodical exhibition of native productions and manufactures, as well as the foundation a few years since of a society at Prague for the promotion of national industry.

Inhabitants. We have stated that the population of Bohemia in 1850 was 4,409,900; in 1833 it was 3,932,000. About one-third of