In this excerpt from The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell, the cities of Basle, Zurich, Baden, and Paris are depicted as critical points in Europe's transportation network, with steel rails symbolizing the continent's vital arteries. These rails resemble the nerves or ganglia that connect and divide regions, highlighting the interconnectedness and complexity of Europe's infrastructure.

The imagery emphasizes the dynamic movement and vital flow of traffic across mountains and valleys, portraying Europe's physical and perhaps emotional landscape as a living, breathing organism. Durrell's poetic description underscores the importance of railways in shaping Europe's identity and connectivity.