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(here called canoes) communicate with the canal, and are so formed 

 that water is admitted into them between two planks that are 

 about an inch separate. Through this opening the current falls 

 about six inches into the trough, and may be directed to any part 

 of it, or stopped at pleasure by means of a small quantity of clay. 

 For instance, sometimes water is required only from one corner of 

 the aperture, then the remaining part is stopped ; sometimes it is 

 wanted from the centre, then the extremes are stopped ; and some- 

 times only a gentle rill is wanted, then the clay is applied ac- 

 cordingly. Along the lower ends of the troughs a small channel is 

 dug to carry off the water. 



On the heap of cascalhao, at equal distances, are placed three 

 high chairs* for the officers or overseers. After they are seated, the 

 negroes -f- enter the troughs, each provided with a rake of a pecu- 

 liar form and short handle, with which he rakes into the trough 

 about fifty or eighty pounds weight of cascalhao. The water being 

 then let in upon it, the cascalhao is spread abroad and continually 

 raked up to the head of the trough, so as to be kept in constant motion. 

 This operation is performed for the space of a quarter of an hour ; 

 the water then begins to run clearer, having washed the earthy parti- 

 cles away, the gravel-like matter is raked up to the end of the trough; 

 after the current flows away quite clear, the largest stones are thrown 

 out, and afterwards those of inferior size, then the whole is exa- 

 mined with great care for diamonds.]:. When a negro finds one, he 

 immediately stands upright and claps his hands, then extends them. 



* In order to insure the vigilance of the overseers, these chairs are constructed without 

 backs or any other support on which a person can recline. 



f The negroes employed in these works are the property of individuals, who let them to 

 hire at the daily rate of three vengtems of gold, equal to about eight-pence, Government 

 supplying them with victuals. Every officer of the establishment is allowed the privilege of 

 having a certain number of negroes employed. 



:|: The negroes are constantly attending to the cascalhao from the very commencement of 

 the washings, and frequently find diamonds before this last operation. 



9 



