4i6 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



unlikely that, in process of time, other diamond- 

 bearing localities may be discovered. These precious 

 stones have been found in the Orange River, at least 

 as far down as Prieska, to the north-west of the 

 Colony, and there are many more improbable things 

 than that rich diamond areas exist far away from 

 Kimberley. Who would have dared to say, twenty 

 years ago, that upon those arid plains, whereon a 

 few miserable Griquas then herded their scanty 

 flocks, Kimberley, and its enormous potentiality of 

 wealth, would now stand ? 



In minerals the Cape is extremely rich, yet 

 hitherto her territories have lain unnoticed and 

 almost entirely unprospected. The copper mines of 

 Little Namaqualand, south of the Orange River,, 

 are among the richest in the world, and are at 

 present nothing like developed. Copper exists in 

 many other localities in the north-west. 



Coal has been found in many parts of the Colony,, 

 and no doubt will crop up in very many more. 

 Notably in the Stormberg range excellent coal, 

 which is now largely employed on the Cape railways,, 

 is obtained. Gold has, within the last two years,, 

 been discovered in considerable quantities at the 

 Knysna in the extreme south, and a mining camp is 

 now established there. Still more recently, within 

 the last few months, other discoveries of this, 

 precious metal have been made in the north-west, 

 near the Orange River, and in other places, and 

 with the gold fever that has now laid such a hold 

 upon South Africa, it is not unlikely that large and 

 important auriferous areas may be found in other 

 parts of the Colon)'. 



Other minerals are plentiful, but as yet lie: 



