THE TECHNOLOGIST. [August 1, 1864. 



42 WHAT PRECIOUS STONES ARE MADE OP. 



up while washing out gold. Amongst which was a diamond, the largest 

 yet found in the colony, so far as is known, and the purest of water. 

 Its natural facets are perfect ; its colour is a pale green, but approaching 

 much more nearly to the pure water of the East Indian diamond than 

 the stone, was the subject of a conversation not long ago in the Legisla- 

 tive Assembly. The diamond weighs 2§ 1*32 carats, or nearly three 

 carats. It was found at Wooragdy, near the Magpie, Yackandandah, in 

 auriferous earth taken, about four feet deep, from a hill-side* 



Let us now turn, in conclusion, to the great diamond-producing 

 country, Brazil. To give an accurate account of the value of this pre- 

 cious stone, exported thence to Europe, is a work of impossibility. 

 Being essentially a secret trade, when once they reach Bahia, means 

 are at hand not only to evade the export duty of one per cent., but also 

 to ship them clandestinely. 



The traffic with the diamond mines is, however, becoming daily of 

 more importance, and is the one upon which now mainly depends the 

 important import trade of the city of Bahia. From trustworthy infor- 

 mation from the inland Drabre, Mr. Morgan, British Consul there, 

 estimated the value of diamonds exported from Bahia in 1858 at 

 75O,O00Z., and the foreign merchandise sent up to the diamond mines at 

 800,00<X sterling. This traffic is but an imperfect idea of what it may 

 yet become, were it possible to instil into the minds of the governing 

 powers the necessity of opening proper roads with facilities for transit 

 and transport of both men and merchandise, in order to reach the inex- 

 haustible riches of that rich mineral region and its surrounding munici- 

 palities, bordering on that magnificent internal tributary the River St. 

 Francisco. 



The diamond district is known by the name of Serro do Frio ; it 

 extends sixteen leagues from north to south, and eight from east to west. 

 It is surrounded by craggy mountains, as if Nature had been at some 

 pains to conceal her treasures from man. 



Every possible precaution is taken to prevent the inhabitants from 

 carrying the diamonds, which are found in the auriferous sands beyond 

 this natural wall ; all the outlets are strictly guarded, and any person 

 detected breaking the law is most severely punished. Offenders were 

 formerly sent to the coast of Angola, which punishment w T as looked 

 upon by many as severe as death itself. 



It must not be supposed that diamonds are procured without great 

 labour. They are sometimes found on the surface of the earth ; but it 

 is not unfrequently necessary to turn the course of rivers to obtain even 

 a small quantity. Until the present period the river Jiquitihonha has 

 furnished most of this kind of wealth. Large masses of that species of 

 flint known in the country by the name of " Cascalhao " are found in 



* For further information on the diamonds and other gems of Australia, see 

 an article by Dr. Bleasdale — Technologist, vol. iv., p. 372. 



