The Occurrence and Distribution of Diamonds in India. 571 
Although published in the same number of the Asiatic Society's 
Journal* we find a paper dated two years later, or 1840, which 
was written by Major Ouseley, on the “Process of Washing for 
Gold-dust and Diamonds at Heera Khoond.” In this we meet 
the following statement :— 
The Heera Khoond is that part of the river which runs south of the 
islands. The diamonds and gold-dust are said to be washed down the Ebe 
River, about four miles above the Heera Khoond ; but as both are pro- 
curable as far as Sonpur, I am inclined to think there may be veins of 
gold along the Mahanadi.” 
The occurrence of diamonds in the river so far below Sambalpur 
as Sonpur, must have been very exceptional. No mention is 
made by Major Ouseley of the system of throwing an embank- 
ment across one of the channels, which is described below; but 
from my inquiries I gathered that that method of washing was in 
practice for many years before the period of Major Ouseley’s visit. 
He describes the operations of individual washers—not the com- 
bined efforts of the large number, which made that washing 
successful. The diamonds found became the property of the 
Raja, while the gold was the perquisite of the washers, who sold 
it for from twelve to fifteen rupees a tola. 
Captain Newbold says,t that “diamonds of considerable value 
are also found in the bed and alluvium of the Mahanadi River, 
especially at Sambalpur, and about the mouths of the Hebe, 
Khelu, and Mand streams, but their beds have not hitherto, I 
believe, been traced.” Captain Burton mentions{ that according 
to some authority not named, the Majnodi, a tributary of the 
Mahanadi, contained diamonds. 
In the Central Provinces Gazetteer it is stated that :-— 
“ During the period of native rule some fifteen or twenty villages 
were granted rent free to a class called Jhiras, in consideration of their 
undertaking the search for diamonds. When the country lapsed in 
1850, these villages were resumed.” 
So far as can be gathered from the various sources of informa- 
tion, large and valuable diamonds have been occasionally met 
* Journal Asiatic Society, Bengal, Vol. viii., 1839, p. 1057. 
7 Jour. Roy. Asiatic Society, Vol. vii. 
t Quarterly Journal of Science, N.S., Vol. vi., 1876, p. 351. 
