CARLSBAD, a celebrated spa of Bohemia, Czechoslovakia (Czech, Karlovy Vary) , lies about 1,225 ft. above sea level at the junction of the Tepl and the Ohfe. Surrounded by the precipi tous pine-forested foothills of the Erzgebirge, it is squeezed along the valleys of both streams and rises picturesquely tier above tier on the slopes of the hills around. Legend ascribes its origin to an accidental discovery of its famous springs by the emperor Charles IV., but there was certainly an old pre-existent settlement, Vary, which derived enhanced prosperity and an addition to its name from his interest. His experience of the medicinal qualities of its waters caused him to build a castle near by and to confer many privileges upon the town. Its function as a curative spa tends to obscure other important activities of the district. The 17 warm mineral springs are believed to rise from a common reservoir, known as the Sprudelkessel, and range in temperature from 107.7° to 164° F. While they vary in temperature the chemical compo sition is constant and the following figures per thousand parts of water for the largest, the Sprudel, delivering 405 gallons per minute, are typical:-2.405 sulphate of soda, 1.298 bicarbonate of soda, 1.042 sodium chloride, o.186 sulphate of potash, o.166 bi carbonate of magnesia, 0.012 bicarbonate of lithium, 0.966 carbon dioxide, with traces of arsenic, antimony, rubidium, selenium, tin and organic substances. Free from colour and odour, the waters are slightly acid and saline and are used for drinking and bathing with beneficial effects in liver diseases and troubles due to uric acid. Owing to their powerful action they require to be used under careful medical direction regarding diet and exercise, and there are many elaborate curative establishments supplemented by several hospitals and hospices for poorer patients. Though the waters were first used for bathing in 1520 the rapid growth of the town as an international health resort dates from the middle of the 19th century, after which many of its imposing buildings, e.g., the Kurhaus, the Kaiserbad, the Miihlbrunnen and Sprudel colon nades were erected. Concurrently, the porcelain and stoneware industries, for which the town is the centre in Czechoslovakia, have developed in range of markets and in character of products, concentrating to-day upon luxury articles. The industries have a long record of prosperity based upon rich local supplies of high grade kaolin and ornamental stone with easy access to the coal of the Falkenau basin, some miles west of Carlsbad. There is a flourishing trade in fine leather goods, confectionery and the preparation of evaporated salts and bottled waters for export. During winter the town is dominated by the manufactures but with the advent of the season, which reaches its height in June and July, everything is subordinated to catering for visitors; the normal population of about 19,000 is trebled by the influx and the town assumes a cosmopolitan appearance, reflected in the number of its churches and the variety of their denominations. The charming wooded heights, e.g., the Aberg (1,98o ft.), the Konig Otto's Hobe (1,960 ft.), the Dreikreuzberg (1,8o5 ft.) and many others approached by easy well-kept paths and commanding superb panoramas attract increasing numbers of tourists seeking recreation rather than health. (W. S. L.)