DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0034
G
IDRIA.
[Chap, i
lenco about the beginning of September, when the whole
lake, several miles in circumference, is refilled in the course
of a few days.*
Friday, Aug. 28.—We started at daybreak for Idria.
Near Planina we saw the same river Pinna, but under a
new name, emerge from under the rocks at the head of a
green and fertile valley, where it bursts forth a full and
perfect river, but doomed to disappear again before it
finally reaches the river Save. At Loitsch we left the high
road which leads to Laybach and Vienna on our right, and
proceeded over the mountains to the north-west towards
Idria. Had it not been for the rain, we should have greatly
enjoyed the magnificent scenery. High mountains and ex-
tensive forests, valleys, rivers and plains—everything except
a clear sky—were there. A rapid descent by a winding
road soon brought us from the summits of the hills into
the valley in which Idria was situated on the banks of a
small stream, which after flowing north falls into the Me-
diterranean near Gorz.
On reaching Idria, and having shown our temporary
passports, and stated the object of our visit, we were waited
upon by a smart gentleman with cocked hat and sword, who
called himself a policeman, to learn our pleasure as to when
we would go round the works, and when we would visit the
mines, in order that the necessary dresses might be pre-
pared. We started at once to see the works, leaving the
mines until after dark, and were much interested with the
whole process carried on in the different workhouses for
beating, washing, and smelting. Much native quicksilver
is obtained in these various operations before the ore is
carried to the smelting-houses : some of it contains seventy
per cent, of quicksilver ; and when brought from the mine
* I have been since informed that when the lake of Zirknitz is refilled every year,
it .not only brings back large swarms of fish, but even large flocks of water-fowl,
some of which have been found to be albinos. The proteus also is found in
many other subterranean localities besides the Maddalena grotto, particularly in
several of the funnel-shaped holes, when they contain water in communication with
a subterranean river.
IDRIA.
[Chap, i
lenco about the beginning of September, when the whole
lake, several miles in circumference, is refilled in the course
of a few days.*
Friday, Aug. 28.—We started at daybreak for Idria.
Near Planina we saw the same river Pinna, but under a
new name, emerge from under the rocks at the head of a
green and fertile valley, where it bursts forth a full and
perfect river, but doomed to disappear again before it
finally reaches the river Save. At Loitsch we left the high
road which leads to Laybach and Vienna on our right, and
proceeded over the mountains to the north-west towards
Idria. Had it not been for the rain, we should have greatly
enjoyed the magnificent scenery. High mountains and ex-
tensive forests, valleys, rivers and plains—everything except
a clear sky—were there. A rapid descent by a winding
road soon brought us from the summits of the hills into
the valley in which Idria was situated on the banks of a
small stream, which after flowing north falls into the Me-
diterranean near Gorz.
On reaching Idria, and having shown our temporary
passports, and stated the object of our visit, we were waited
upon by a smart gentleman with cocked hat and sword, who
called himself a policeman, to learn our pleasure as to when
we would go round the works, and when we would visit the
mines, in order that the necessary dresses might be pre-
pared. We started at once to see the works, leaving the
mines until after dark, and were much interested with the
whole process carried on in the different workhouses for
beating, washing, and smelting. Much native quicksilver
is obtained in these various operations before the ore is
carried to the smelting-houses : some of it contains seventy
per cent, of quicksilver ; and when brought from the mine
* I have been since informed that when the lake of Zirknitz is refilled every year,
it .not only brings back large swarms of fish, but even large flocks of water-fowl,
some of which have been found to be albinos. The proteus also is found in
many other subterranean localities besides the Maddalena grotto, particularly in
several of the funnel-shaped holes, when they contain water in communication with
a subterranean river.