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POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



on the fact that the diamond seems to be the only stone which will 

 stick to a bed of grease when a pan of ' concentrates ' (the remainder 

 after all the earth and lighter material have been washed out) is passed 

 over it with a properly adjusted flow of water. 



A cross country trek from Pretoria to Mafeking seemed to offer 

 greater attractions than the 882 miles of rail which separate those 

 places, in spite of the fact that Bloemfontein and Kimberley would 

 thus be omitted. At present there are no rail connections between the 

 two trunk lines going north from De Aar Junction (which lies just 

 south of the Orange Eiver), although Klerksdorp, the terminus of a 

 branch line from Johannesburg, and Mafeking, on the Cape-Bul- 



Spot (in the bank near the telegraph post) wheke the Famous Cullinan Diamond 



AVAS FOUND. 



awayo railroad, are only 93 miles apart. These connecting links are 

 of course valuable for opening up the country through which they pass, 

 but it is difficult to get a return on the capital laid out where the chief 

 traffic is to and. from the coast and not an exchange between inland 

 centers. But it is hoped that the time is not far distant when the 

 farms in this district may furnish regular supplies to the large towns 

 and make them independent of imported food produce. Eailways are 

 already projected from Pretoria to Eustenburg, sixty miles to the west; 

 and also from Klerksdorp to Fourteenstreams which lies on the Cape- 

 Bulawayo railway, 140 miles to the southeast, thus making the first 

 connection between the two trunk lines north of their branching point. 



