Anniversary Address. 21 



that much compact information is given by these authors, in 

 relation to their physical and geological researches in the 

 interior of Brazil, in Dr. Petermann's MiWieilungen (1859. Heft, 

 xi.). 



The previous and following quotations are taken from a paper 

 read before the Geological Society of Berlin. Herodotus, we 

 remember, tells (III., 102) a ridiculous story, repeated by 

 authors as late as the sixteenth century, of gold being brought 

 up by ants as big as dogs that guarded it when obtained, and 

 pursued the man that took it from them ; but Messrs. Heusser 

 and Claraz tell a far more probable story of diamonds having 

 been found among the little pebbles with which some "worm- 

 like insects " cover their tubular coverings — a fact quite 

 paralleled by the Phryganea of Auvergne, which covered their 

 indusias with the shells of Bulimus atomus or a small Faludina, 

 forming strata which cover nearly 800 square miles, and are from 

 eight to ten feet thick. ( Scrvpe, Central France, p. 11.) 



There is," however, another statement of even greater interest. 

 In the Cascalhao are found fragments of quartz shaped like an 

 anvil. These were used as earrings by the ancient inhabitants of 

 Brazil. One of these ornaments was found in Cascalhao that 

 had never been disturbed, in a dry watercourse, covered by 18 

 feet of vegetable soil, on which many fine palm trees were 

 growing. Arrow heads and bones were also found with it. 

 This Cascalhao must, therefore, be comparatively recent, or the 

 race to whom such implements belonged must have been verv 

 ancient. 



According to M. Hockeder the first fliamond in Minas Geraes 

 was discovered in the year 1827. But I believe Brazil was 

 known to possess diamond just a century before. The effect was 

 much like that which takes place in Australia when a new lead is 

 discovered.. The gold workings were all deserted by what is 

 called here " a rush," and the greatest excitement followed. Mr. 

 Hocketer's memoir, though now little known, made also a stir at 

 the time. {Ufier des vorlcominen der diamantem.'] There are 

 other documents referred to in the Bidl : &oc. Oeol. de France. 

 (xiv. 232 ; i. 19 ; ii. 659.) 



