Page:Essay on the mineral waters of Carlsbad (1835).pdf/132

 those which belong to the North of Europe. The country, with the mountains near Marienbad, and those of the environs of Ellbogen, even in its greatest extent, as far as the heigthsheights [sic] of the , presents formations of primitive rocks, destitute of that multitude of plants growing in Bohemia upon calcareous and basaltic mountains of the adjoining circles (counties) of the kingdom. Carlsbad has in its vicinity neither lakes nor marshes, asylums of an immense number of plants.

The country presents ridges of hills, between which are broader or narrower valleys, but, at a little distance from the town, we find two of these, viz. the one in which the Teple runs rapidly in a narrow bed, and the other, crossed by the Egra, flowing quietly in a wide bed, which grows narrower higher up near Ellbogen, and expands into a greater breadth, as it descend through fertile fields and blooming meadows. Upon the left bank of the Egra, we see round hills, which, getting gradually higher, begin the , incircling agreable and well cultivated valleys.

These hills, seldom extending to mountains, are entirely or partly wooded, but these forests are mostly coniferous, but sometimes intermixed with leaf-trees. These valleys produce wheat, rye, barley and oats as well as vegetables. Flax, potatoes, thrive also in the higher parts. The raw climate of Carlsbad is unfavourable to fruit, and the best is brought from the warmer circles of Saaz and Leitmeritz.