116 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER . 
on the surface. About twelve months after the first 
one was found, the Star of South Africa, of 83^ 
carats, was discovered near the Orange River by a 
G-riqua shepherd. This caused the search to he 
carried on with redoubled energy. The soil on the 
banks of the Yaal River was dug, washed, and sorted 
by Captain Rolleston and party, without success for 
a time ; but after nearly three months’ persevering 
labour the first diamond was found in the gravel on 
the 7th January 1870. Within two months the 
party had collected some hundreds of sparkling 
gems. Since then, the Diamond Fields have attracted 
many thousands, and still continue to draw adven- 
turers. 
The area over which diamonds have already been 
found is very extensive, and how much farther it 
may extend cannot even be conjectured. Suffi- 
cient diamondiferous country is already known to 
provide many years’ employment for a large popula- 
tion. Diamond-digging is certain to become a per- 
manent industry, though, to insure its becoming a 
profitable one, it will be necessary to work on a 
different plan to that at present adopted. Larger 
areas of ground must be obtainable, capital will need 
to be employed, and such appliances devised as will 
perform the maximum of work with the least amount 
of labour. Companies worked by skilful and intelli- 
gent managers, if backed with moderate capital, are 
almost certain of success. 
