B. in. c. ii. 8. SPAIN. 219 is always less on this side the Pillars [than on the other]. Po- lybius states that these acorns are ejected [by the sea] as far as [the shores of] Latium, unless, he adds, Sardo l and the neighbouring districts also produce them. The thunny-fish become gradually thinner, owing to the failure of their food, as they approach the Pillars from the outer sea. This fish, in fact, may be regarded as a kind of sea-hog, being fond of the acorn, and growing marvellously fat upon it ; and when- ever acorns are abundant, thunny-fish are abundant likewise. 8. Of the various riches of the aforenamed country, 2 not the least is its wealth in metals : this every one will particu- larly esteem and admire. Of metals, in fact, the whole country of the Iberians is full, although it is not equally fertile and flourishing throughout, especially in those parts where the metals most abound. It is seldom that any place is blessed with both these advantages, and likewise seldom that the dif- ferent kinds of metals abound in one small territory. Tur- detania, however, and~the surrounding" districts surpass so entirely in this respect, that however you may wish, words cannot convey their excellence. Gold, silver, copper, and iron^-QMLJD a mount and of similar quality, not having been hitherto discovered in any'other part of the world. 3 Gold is not only dug from the mines, but likewise collected; sand containing gold being washed downJjYjhe rivers andUorrents. It is frequently met with in aricTdistricts^ but here the gold is not visible to the sight, whereas in those which are over- flowed the grains of gold are seen glittering. On this account they cause water to flow over the arid places in order to make the grains shine ; they also dig pits, and make use of other contrivances for washing the sand, and separating the gold from it ; so that at the presentTcTay more gold is procured by washing than by digging it from the mines. The Galataj affirm that the mines along the Kemmenus mountains 4 and their side of the Pyrenees are superior ; but most people prefer those on this side. They say that sometimes amongst the 1 Sardinia. 2 Turdetania. 3 The, mineral riches of Spain are lauded in egtmLtenns by Herodo-, tug, Aristotle^ Pliny, and many other writers. Wecan only remark, that STthe present day the mineral wealth of that country scarcely justifies such descriptions. 4 The Cevennes.
