Occasional Notes, 



By the Editor. 



Gold and Diamonds in British Guiana.— \n the last 

 number of Timehri, some statistics were given relative 

 to the great increase in the gold industry of the colony. 

 Here it is intended to do no more than make note of the 

 fa6t that this increase has been vitW maintained through- 

 out the year 1890, the total yield being over 62,615 oz., or 

 considerably more than double that obtained in 1889. 

 It will be remembered that for the last four years, the 

 quantity obtained in each year has been more than 

 double that obtained in the previous year. It is most 

 probable that 1891 will see some specially marked pro- 

 gressive movement in the development of the industry. 

 A Gold Commissioner is at last at work, whose advent, 

 it is to be expe6led, will be marked by suitable regula- 

 tions for the better preservation of life and property: 

 a large syndicate is experimenting on the value of 

 quartz-mining : a considerable amount of capital is being 

 invested in the prosecution of extensive prospe6lions and 

 workings ; while the experience gained in past years 

 will no doubt have its effe6l in rendering the prospeftors 

 more certain of, and trustworthy in, their operations. 



It has been a matter of common knowledge for some 

 years that diamonds were to be found in the colony ; and 

 in the account of the rocks and minerals of British 

 Guiana given in Timehri^ vol. iii. New Series, p. 40, 

 the fa6l has been recorded not only of their being found, 

 but examined and cut in London at the instance of Mr. 

 George Garnett. A new phase in the history has 



