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DIAMOND.
At one period, it was the practice to let out pieces of ground, of a certain number of square yards, at a fixed sum per diem, (according to the reputation of the soil), for each man employed in searching for Diamonds. If any were found, they were immediately weighed, and offered for sale on the spot to agents, who were sent from Madras, &c. for that purpose.
In the Diamond washings of India, sapphires, rubies, topazes, and aqua-marines, have been frequently met with.
The Diamonds from Borneo[1] are found in
- ↑ The Rajah of Mattan, in Borneo, is possessed of a rude Diamond, said to weigh above 300 carats. A friend of mine, captain of an Indiaman, was permitted to see it, but was requested not to touch it; this gem was brought in on a gold salver, and was about the size of a common walnut; it had a blueish metallic lustre.
