(9T4) 
Stones of middle fizes : But Gaz^erpellee hasbefides many large 
ones, and is the only Mifleiioted for fuch in the Kingdom of Fiji-, 
4fore. With which concluding the defcription of the Mines, I 
fliall give fome account, how the Diamonds are fouod, and how 
they handle the the Earth lofind them ; which is as followeth: 
The Diamonds are fo fcattcred and difperfed in the Eartbjand 
lie fo thin, that in the raoft plentiful Mines its rare to find one in 
^'gg^ng> or till chey have prepared the ftulF, and do fearch pur- 
pofely for them : They are alfo frequently enclosed in CIods;and 
fome of thofe of Melwillee^ the New Mine in the Kingdom of 
Gclcmda^ have tha Earth fo fixt about them, that till they grind 
them on a rough Stone with fand , they cannot move it fuflSci- 
ently, to difcover rhey are tranfparent ; or, were it not for ^heir 
fhapes,to know them from Other Stones^ At the firft opening of 
the Mme, the unskilful Labourers , fometimes to try what they 
have found» lay them on a great Stone,and ftriking on them with 
another, to their coftly experience difcover they had broken a 
Diamond. One I knew who had an excellent Stone of 8 magel- 
leens^ ferved fo by ignorant Miners he employed. 
Near the place where they dig, they raifea Wall with fuch 
rugged Stones as they find at hand (whereof all the Mines afford 
plenty) of about 2 foot high, and fix foot ovcr,flooring it well 
with the fame 5 for the layiogof which they have no other Mor- 
tar than theEarth tempered vvithWater.To ftrengthen and make 
k eight they throw upabankagainft the fide of it; In one where- 
of they leave a fmall vent about two inches from the bottom, 
by vvhichit empties it felf into a little pit, made in the earth to 
receive fmall Stones , if by chance any flioald run through^The 
vent being flopped , they fill the Cifl:ernthey have made with 
water, foaking therein as much of the Earth they dig out of the 
Mines, as it can conveniently receive at a time^ bieaking the 
clods, picking out the great ftones and ftirringit withflioveJs, 
, till the water is all muddy, the gravelly fluff falling to the bot- 
tom V then they open the vent, letting out the foul water and 
fepply ing it with clean, till all the Earthy fubflance be wafl:ed 
av^ay,and none but a gravelly remains at the bottom. Thus they 
continue wafhing till about \ o of the Clock before Noon,when 
they take the gravelly fluff they have wafhed , and fpread it on 
a place made plain and finooih f like a Bowling-alley) for 
ihf purpofe, near theCiflern , which being foon dried by the 
