The country which extends from the base of this region northward to the boundary-line of Prussia is a plain, on which there are a few isolated hills, among which the Keulonberg, near the town of Kfinigs brUck, attains the height of 1362 feet above the sea. The soil of this plain is sandy, or gravelly, and mostly unfit for cultivation : about half the surface is covered with woods, consisting almost entirely of coniferous trees, from which tar and pitch are made. In the cultivable tracts potatoes, oats, buckwheat, and millet, with some rye, are grown. The eheep-walks are extensive, but of inferior quality. Cattle, goats, and pigs are numerous.
The western or larger portion of Saxony, which is situated west of the river Elbe, is naturally divided Into three regions, the mountainous, the hilly, and the plain. The mountain region lies within the Erz gebirge, extends over the northern slope of that range, and is bounded on the south by Bohemia. It is occupied with mountain masses, with rather steep declivities, which are furrowed in a direction from south to north by wide and open valleys, and in other directions by smaller valleys. The most elevated summit is the Fiehtelberg, near 12° 50' E. long., 3966 feet above the sea-level. Nearly north of it stand the Pohlberg, 2706 feet high; and farther east the Lugstein, 2934 feet. West of the Fichtelbcrg are the Clucrsberg, which attains 3345 feet; and near Schiineck, the Rammolsberg and the Schnockenetein, respec tively 3165 and 2386 feet high. A large portion of this region is covered with forests of beech and pine, which supply fuel for the numerous mines of this district. [Enzuenlacm.) In the valleys of this region, which are rather thickly inhabited, cultivation I. limited to flax, potatoes, and oats; the population is chiefly supplied with grain from the regions lying farther north.
The region which extends northward along the northern base of the mountains as far as Meissen, exhibits an agreeable alternation of hills, vales, and plains of moderate extent. Its fertility in general is not great, though there are soma productive tracts, among which the plains near Chemnitz and Zwickau are distinguished. But the whole region is cultivated with great care, as Its agricultural produce finds a ready sale in the populous towns and villages of the mountain region. The winters are not severe enough to prevent the cultivation of the common kinds of grain. Some of the lower grounds, especially those along the Elbe, are noted for their orchards; and in the vicinity of the town of Meissen a considerable quantity of wino is made. Coals
are found in extensive beds not far from Dresden, and in the vicinity of Zwickau. Sheep, cattle, and horses are abundant in these parts.
The northern portion of Saxony wad of the Elba is a plain, and constitute, the most southern part of the great plain which extends to the shores of the Baltic. It contains however more hills than occur farther north. Tho hills are isolated, and generally low, except the 460 Colmberg, west of Oschatz, which attains an elevation of 1134 feet above the eeeeleveL The general level of this district near tho hilly region is about 000 feet, and where it borders on Prussia It varies between '290 and 300 feet. It Is the most fertile portion of Saxony, and though it contains several tracts covered with heath, eon a exten sive district.. are distinguished by fertility. The most fruitful parts are the plains of Lomms.asch,'Heuwea, and Leisuig on the Freyberger klulda ; the country surrounding the town of Leipzig, and the valley of the Elster. Agriculture Is the principal occupation of the inhabit ants, but it is united to the rearing of cattle and horses. Sheep abound in the loss fertile treets. The forests aro here of small extent.
Clislate.—The temperature of the northern plain does not differ much from that of the hilly region. Tho mean annual temperature in both regious is The winter is rather severe, the mean temperature being 30' or a little less. The mean' temperature of spring is of summer is 02', of autumn between and The hanks of the Elbe are the lowest parts of the region, and accordingly the temperature of Dresden and Meissen is from two to three degrees higher than those given in the above statement. The climate of the towns near the mountain region, as that of Freyberg and Chemnitz, does not materially from that of the countries farther north, but in the valleys the temperature is considerably lower. At Altenburg in the mountain region, 2475 feet above the sea-level, the mean annual temperature does not exceed that of the winter is of the spring 41', of the summer of the autumn about The pre vailing winds are from the west and south-west ; those from north west and from south and south-east are also common ; northern, north-eastern, and eastern winds are rare. The annual rainfall is from 20 to 24 inches.