CENTRAL BRAZIL. 691 



The operations are simple. The loose stones at the bottom 

 3f the stream are first raked up into baskets, and then care- ] 



^ully washed, under the inspection of the overseers. ! 



In one district it is calculated that, from 1730 to 1830, i 



iiamonds worth upwards of three millions sterling were col- I 



ected ; and in that of Abaete, in 1791, a diamond weighing 

 1384 carats — the largest in the world — was discovered. 



Possibly, however, if the labour which is bestowed on 

 nining were employed in cultivating the ground, it would be 

 productive of greater profit to the country. ] 



