Travels Into Dalmatia created a sensation across Western Europe when it was published in 1778: it reintroduced one half of the continent to its eastern neighbor. Italian abbe ALBERTO FORTIS (1655-1735) traveled through Dalmatia-today part of Croatia and Montenegro-and shared his observations on the natural history and culture of those unknown lands in letters to John Strange, the Bishop of Londonderry, and other clergy. Among the many extraordinary places he explores, customs he discusses, and oddities he comes across: . the islands of Ulbo and Selve . the city of Zara . Trajan's aqueduct . the castle of Urana . the ruins of Afferia . the superstitions of the Morlacchi . the noxious insects of Trau . meteors in the Primorie . the plants on the islands of Cherso and Osero . and much more. Students of natural history and the history of Eastern Europe will find this a fascinating work.