BLACK FOREST ((le'. so called from the dark foliage of its ter and pine trees). A wooded mountain region in the south western part of Germany, occupying the south ern part of Baden and the western part of Wiirttemberg (M•p: Germany, C 4). It runs in a direction from south to north; its natu ral boundaries on the east arc formed by the Nagold and the Neckar, while on the south and west it is bounded by the Rhine. Its length is about 100 miles, its width varies from about 3S miles in the south to about 14 miles ill the north, while its entire area is estimated at about 1900 square miles. The western slope of the region falls off abruptly toward the valley of the Rhine, in contrast to the eastern slope, whose incline is very gradual. The southern, or tipper part, which is the widest part of the region, con tains also its greatest elevations, as the Feldberg, 4860 feet, which is the highest peak of the entire and sends off numerous offshoots, ranging in altitude from 3900 to 4200 feet ; the Herzogen horn, 4610 feet, the Belcher. 4600 feet, and a number of inferior elevations. Near Altbreisach, in the District of Freiburg, is situated the isolated volcanic mass of the Kaise•stuhl. The northern or lower part of the region is inferior in elevation to the southern, and is less mountainous in gen eral appearance. Its highest peak is the llornis grinde, 3790 feet, and there are a number of other elevations of a little over 3000 feet. The region of the Black Forest gives rise to a num ber of rivers, including the Danube and Neckar, and contains a number of lakes on its eastern slope. Geologically the region is composed of Arcluean granites and gneiss, which form its core; porphyry, found mostly on the sides; and sandstone, which occurs mostly in the more elevated parts and also at the base. The mineral
resources of the region are of little importance, and its deposits of silver, cobalt, and copper are practically exhausted. Mineral springs, however, are abundant and inelnde such well - known health resorts as Baden-Baden and •ildbad. The climate is on the whole healthful, although some what raw in the more elevated parts. In the plains agriculture and cattle-raising are pursued with more or less success, and there are sonic vineyards on the western slope. The region is very well wooded, and the thief ocenpation of the inhabitants is the production of wooden clocks, musical instruments, and other manufactures of wood, as well as watches. The Black Forest is much frequented and has a number of roads and passes, among which the Ilbltenthat Pass, near Neustadt, is the best known. it is crossed by a number of railway lines. Two of the passes of the Blaek Forest, the Knields and the Mlle, ac quired considerable celebrity during the wars of the French Revolution. The first, situated on the borders between linden and Wiirtteralwrg, at the source of the IHurg, was taken by the French in 1796 and in 1797; the flSnc is known in con neetion with .1Iorean's retreat in 1796.
The Bla•k Forest has been made the scene of many weird and curious stories, and it is asso ciated with a vast number of legends, folk-tales, and poindar superstitions.