HINTS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF OFFICERS, AT 
FOREIGN STATIONS, IN THE DETECTION 
OF PRECIOUS STONES. 
BY 
MAJOR T. PRESTON BATTERSBY, 0.S. DEPT. (late R.A.). 
In these days of progress the British officer is expected to be a sort of 
“admirable Crichton,” excelling alike in all manner of physical and 
mental accomplishments. Everyone who has a “hobby” or a “ fad” 
writes to urge that the ideal officer should have a knowledge of this 
particular subject at all events! As for the artilleryman he is called 
upon to be at once a mathematician, an advanced scientist, a magistrate, 
a skilled tactician, a mechanic, a veterinary surgeon—in short a veri- 
table “‘ Jack ofall Trades.” IfI venture to introduce one more subject 
of study to his notice, it is only because it possesses the novelty of 
being one which, besides adding to his usefulness in the very common 
function of explorer of new countries, may very possibly put some 
hard cash into his empty pocket. 
In 1893 I was quartered in Barbados. As, probably, most of my 
readers know, Barbados, as an artillery station,is doomed. For many 
a month past the gunners have been toiling under the tropical sun 
hauling heavy guns up the steep slope of the Morne Fortunée at St. 
Lucia. Now that that arduous work is completed, they can, at their 
leisure, admire one of the finest views in the world, of sea, and island, 
and virgin forest—and heartily wish themselves back in Barbados! 
For life in an island where the study of primitive nature is the only 
occupation available, does not appeal much even to the gunner variety 
of Thomas Atkins! 
The U.R.H. of the district, returning from one of his frequent visits 
to St. Lucia, brought back with him a paper of colourless octahedral 
crystals, which he had picked up one day when sitting down to rest 
in an unfrequented spot. He knew that the diamond crystallized in 
this form, and hoped that he had made a valuable discovery. I was 
sorry to undeceive him but, on examination, found the stones to be 
white spinels—hitherto, so far as I know, only found at La Riccia, 
near Rome, and interesting on that account, but, as an article of 
commerce, valueless. 
But, my point is, they might just as probably have been 
diamonds and, for aught that anyone knows to the contrary, diamonds, 
rubies, or any other stones of value may be lying on the ground in 
St. Lucia, or elsewhere, and no one be the better for them till, some 
2, VOL. XXIII. 
