HERCYNIA Silva (anc. geog.), the largest of forests. Its breadth was a journey of nine days to the best traveller. Taking its rise at the limits of the Helvetii, Nemetes, and Rauraci, it runs along the Danube to the borders of the Daci and Anartes, a length of 60 days' journey, according to Caesar, who appears to have been well acquainted with its true breadth, seeing it occupied all Lower Germany. It may therefore be considered as covering the whole of Germany; and most of the other forests may be considered as parts of it, though distinguished by particular names; consequently the Hartz, in the duchy of Brunswic, which gave name to the whole, may be considered as one of its parts. The name Hartz denotes "refinous," or "pine-trees." By the Greeks it is called Orcynius, as a name common to all the forests in Germany; in the same manner as Hercynius was the name given by the Romans; and both from the German Hartz.