194 Messrs. C. G. Dauford and J. A. Ilarvic Brown on 



ing gold, silver, tellurium, copper, lead, quicksilver, and iron ; 

 the annual yield of the former is considerable. Iron is espe- 

 cially abundant near Petroseny, in the south-west. 



Having thus given a rough outline of our routes, and at- 

 tempted to describe the more remarkable features of the 

 country through which we passed, a word or two as regards 

 its sporting-capabilities may not be out of place. 



The fisherman need not look for any great amusement ; for 

 though most of the mountain-rivers contain trout and grayling, 

 they are generally rather small. Perhaps the best stream in 

 the country is the Sebes (before mentioned), which flows from 

 behind the Retjezat, and joins the Strell nearHatzeg: the trout 

 are not bad, running sometimes to one or two pounds in weight; 

 and the grayling-fishing is really good ; almost any number 

 may be taken in autumn when weather and water are in good 

 order. The Sil also, near Petroseny, is a fine-looking river, 

 and used to be celebrated for its so-called " salmon-trout " 

 {Salmo hucho) ; but these had quite disappeared when we saw 

 it, having been blown up with dynamite, a method of fishing 

 very commonly practised in the country, but now forbidden 

 by law. Indeed fly-fishing is gaining ground, and English 

 tackle is in great demand. 



More use will be found for the gun than the rod; and 

 if the sportsman will work for it, he will find that he can 

 make fair and varied, though rarely large bags. Transyl- 

 vania is probably the best country in Europe for bears; 

 and notably the best districts are those of Gorgeny Szent 

 Imri and Hatzeg. The first is, contrary to all precedent, 

 preserved ; and the result is, that, being seldom distui'bed, 

 the bears have increased greatly, and do serious damage to 

 the live stock of the neighbourhood. The Ober-Forst- 

 meister assured us that, on one occasion, seventeen were seen 

 in a single drive, nine of them coming to one gun, and the 

 whole of them escaping^. In all other districts the sport is 

 free. A large force of beaters is necessary in most places ; 



* In 1851 eighty-six bears were killed in Transylvania ; in 1853 sixty- 

 five ; and in 1854 eiglity-six. ('Handbiich der Landeskunde Siebeu- 

 biirgens.') 



