BLACK FOREST (German, Schwarz wald), a chain of mountains in the grand-duchy of Baden and the kingdom of Wiirtemberg. It is 1,844 square miles in extent, runs almost parallel with the Rhine from south to north, often only from 15 to 20 miles distant; is about 85 miles long and from east to west in the southern part about 30 miles wide; in the northern about 18. The Danube, as well as many other rivers, rises in these mountains. Those on the west side run into the Rhine; those on the east side into the Danube. The slack Forest is rather a chain of elevated plains than of isolated peaks. The highest summit, the Feldberg, measures 4,900 English feet. Ex cept from June to September, these mountains are generally covered with snow, and even dur ing this period are not entirely free from it. Among the many valleys of this chain, the Murgthal is particularly celebrated for its beautiful scenery. The whole chain consists of primitive mountains : its skeleton throughout is granite; its higher points are covered with sandstone and other layers of less consequence. On the western side, at the foot, appears gneiss. Porphyry and clay-slate are found on several heights, as likewise silver, lead, copper, iron, cobalt and other minerals. The forests are extensive, and consist mostly of pines and simi lar species. The raising of cattle is the prin
cipal branch of husbandry carried on in this district. The soil is not fertile, and the in habitants scattered over the mountains live very frugally, and are very industrious. The vast quantity of timber growing here has long been a considerable source of revenue. The timber of the Black Forest was always highly prized by the Dutch, and the export to Holland is still largely carried on, the trees being conveyed down the Rhine in the form of rafts. Many saw-mills are kept at work cutting up the tim ber; and the forests also give employment to charcoal-burners, potash-boilers, etc. The man ufacture of the well-known wooden clocks, toys, etc., is another important branch of industry, in which many persons are employed. Watches are also made, as well as orchestrions and other musical instruments. Neustadt, Freiberg, Horn berg and Furtwangen are central points of the manufacture of wooden wares, the commerce in which embraces all Europe, and extends to America and Australia. The Black Forest has long been in favor as a tourist resort and tramping ground, and it is famous as the scene of many legends and folk tales.