urelian and Obedenare simply deplore the
paucity of information, whilst Fuchs, an able and industrious geologist,
says: 'It is difficult to describe the country because there are such
vast tracts which have a character of despairing monotony; because
fossils are rare and badly preserved, if not entirely wanting; and the
different elevations present exactly similar petrographic appearances;'
in fact, he says that the prominent data are wanting to enable a
geologist to make a classification of the various strata.]

[Footnote 18: See Obedenare, 16-19. Also Cantacuzeno, _Cenni sulla
Romania_, Bucarest, 1875; and Ansted.]

[Footnote 19: Copper exists at Baia d'Arana.]

CHAPTER II.

GEOGRAPHICAL--ARCHAEOLOGICAL.

The river system of Roumania--The 'beautiful blue
Danube'--Appearance of the Lower Danube comparable to the Humber or
Mississippi--Floating mills--The Danube in the Kazan Pass--Grand
scenery--The 'Iron Gates,' misconceptions concerning them--Their
true character--Archaeological remains--Trajan's road--His
tablet--His bridge at Turnu-Severin--Its construction and
history--The tributaries of the Danube and towns upon them--The
fishes of the Roumanian rivers--Lakes--Mineral waters of Balta
Alba--Roman roads--Bridge of Constantine--Roman streets, houses,
temples--Statue of Commodus--Gothic and prehistoric
remains--Climate--Great extremes of heat and cold--Beautiful
autumn--Rainfall-Comparison with other countries--Russian
winds--Sudden daily alternations--Comparison of the country
generally with other European states--Resume of its productions,
resources, and attractions for visitors.

I.

The river system of Roumania constitutes one of the most remarkable
features in its geography, has played an important part in its past
history, and promises to exercise a powerful influence on its industrial
and political future. This system comprises the great main artery, the
Danube, with numerous confluents which take their rise in the
Carpathians, and, rushing at first in torrents, then How as sluggish,
often as half-dry streams, across the country before they empty
themselves into the parent river.

The 'beautiful blue Danube' has been so bepraised that to a traveller
who visits it for its scenic attractions it is likely to prove a bitter
disappointment. It is not blue, although during certain seasons it is
said to have a blue tinge, but