332 FROM THE CAPITAL OF THE BANNAT, 
in this manner'. The auriferous sand is not 
only taken from the beds of the rivers, but 
likewise from the banks, and even from pits in 
the adjacent ground. These pits are commonly 
four feet or more in depth. In digging them, 
the w^orkmen find four strata. The first is a 
stratum of vegetable mould; the second /oam, and 
an alluvial deposit of pebbles ; the third consists 
of the auriferous sand and pebbles; and the 
fourth, of slate, clay, marie, and coaP. The auri- 
ferous stratum is constantly parallel to the bed of 
vegetable mould, and the coal as constantly lies 
below it. The gold obtained by washing is 
always native, and in the form of a fine dust : 
the sand containing it is also mixed with black 
and splendent particles of highly magnetic iron, 
garnets, and mica. 
Among the animals of the country should be 
noticed a race of shepherds' dogs, of a white 
colour and noble size ; also a breed of immense 
mastiffs: some of them were as large as the 
famous dog taken at Belgrade, some years ago 
in the possession of the King of Naples. The 
oxen are remarkable for the superior size of 
(1) Travels in the Bannat, &c. p. 88. Lond. I'll. 
(2) Ibid. p. 77. 
