TO THE MINES OF CREMNITZ. 331 
which we have already described. It is per- chap. 
formed by means of a plank of lime-tree, six ' 
feet in length, and an inch and a half in thick- 
ness. At the upper extremity is a small 
trough ; and across the board are ten or twelve 
grooves or furrows cut in the wood. This 
plank is elevated at one end, at an angle of 
about forty-five degrees. The sand is put into 
the trough, at the upper end ; and thence, by 
plenty of water, washed down the sloping of 
the board*. The gold-dust falls, during this 
process, into the higher grooves, whence it is 
scraped or brushed off. It might be supposed 
that a great deal of gold is lost by this careless 
method of collecting it ; but long experience has 
made the Gipsies very expert : they know how 
to distinguish the richer from the poorer sands ; 
and a careful examination of the sand, after 
they have washed it, proves that hardly a par- 
ticle of gold escapes them during the operation. 
The families supported by gold-tvashing are very 
numerous ; but the gains of each are very in- 
considerable, being barely sufficient to excite 
their industry, although the value of many thou- 
sands of florins of gold be annually produced 
(2) See the Vignelte to this Chapter. 
