Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/197

 over great mountains, and coming from it, I pass'd over Swartzenberg or the Black mountain, from whence I descended 10. miles in a rocky Country, and fart more stony than the Cran or Campus lapidosus in Provence; and so to Aidoschini and Goritia, and leaving the Sclavonian behind, entred into the Lingua Fulana, and so onto this Noble and incomparably fortified City; where being yet uncertain, whether, should go to Venice, I would not omit to present you this accompt, which I beseech you to accept from &c.

Palma nova in Friuli June 15, 1669.

Aving cross'd the River Dravus, and pass'd Mount Luibel in the Carnick Alpes, by that noble passage, cut through the Rocks. and vaulted like that of Pausilype near Naples, I had a desire to take a view of the Lake of Zirchnitz, so much spoken of, and written on by so few; and therefore I went unto Crainburg upon the River Savus, and so to Labach, the chief City of Carniola; from whence I continued my Journey in Carniola betwixt the Hills and a great Marsh, till I came to Brounizza, two leagues from whence and beyond the Hills is seared the said Lake, receiving that name from Zirchnitz, a town of about 300. houses.

This Lake is near two German Miles long, and one broad. On the South-side thereof lyes a great Forrest, wherein are many Deer, and wild Boares, Wolves and Bears. On the North side the Country is flat; but the whole Valley is encompassed with Hills, at some distance from it.

This Lake is well fill'd with Water for the greatest part of the Year; but in the Month of July it sinketh under ground, not only by percolation or falling through the pores of the Earth, but retiteth under ground, through many great holes at the bottom of it: And in the Month of September it returns by the same, and so in a very short time fills up the Valley again.

As the time of the waters Descent is short, especially when