588 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 
tracts is extremely doubtful. The probability is that in each 
neighbourhood operations were commenced in consequence of 
chance discoveries. 
The following is a recent example culled from a newspaper :— 
DIscovERY OF A Di1asmonp—The Collector of Karnul reported on the 17th 
December last, for the information of the Revenue Board, the discovery of a large raw 
diamond by one Mala Nagi of Karnul, one of the coolies employed in excavating earth 
in B. Class land of the Irrigation and Canal Company in Jaharapuram near Karnul. 
The diamond weighs 44 grains, and is said to have been purchased by Amboji, a merchant 
of Karnul, for Rs. 116. The real value is, of course, much higher, probably not less 
than Rs. 1,000. There are no diamond mines in Jaharapuram. 
Prospecting far and wide we may be sure was never under- 
taken by natives, and it is doubtful whether there was any inter- 
course or communication between the workers at distant localities, 
With scientific guidance, backed by capital and proper min- 
ing appliances, it may appear at first sight that mining by 
Europeans ought to succeed, but from what has already been said 
in reference to Bandelkhand, it will be gathered that there are 
in diamond mining certain peculiarities which distinguish it from 
most if not all other forms of commercial enterprise, the facilities 
for peculation in consequence of the readiness with which the gem 
may be conveyed is of course the principal of these. There must 
necessarily be a considerable amount of individual hand-work. 
It would almost seem, in fact, that except under a system of 
slavery the diamond cannot be worked for profitably in India. The 
present system, though not so called, practically amounts to much 
the same thing, the actual operatives are by advances bound 
hand and foot to the farmers of the mines, and these are content 
to wait for months together without any return, their outlay too 
is very small, no heavy expenditure of capital being involved. 
The case is ina measure parallel to that of manufacturing 
iron. ‘The native iron-smelter, with no expensive plant, manages 
by a most wasteful process to keep himself alive by making iron. 
The English company turns out iron by the most approved 
methods, and after a time goes into liquidation. Such has hitherto 
been the case, but I am hopeful of the iron industry yet proving 
a success in India. 
I would lay no particular stress on the fact that the several 
attempts in Southern India, at Sambalpur and at Panna, to work 
