Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2011
The diamond tracts of India lie between 13° and 25° N. lat; they occur in irregular arid patches, sometimes basin-shaped, in hilly districts on the great elevated plains bordering the more considerable rivers that have an easterly and southerly course to the Bay of Bengal. Diamonds of considerable size are not rarely found in the sands of these streams and of their tributaries; but their geognostic situs must be referred to the sandstone and sandstone conglomerate, which will be described at more length in the detailed accounts I am about to offer of the various localities in which this gem occurs, commencing with those of the Ceded Districts on the southern limit of the great diamond area just mentioned.
page 228 note 1 In 1840 the contract rose to about 250 rupees. When a diamond of more than a gold pagoda in weight (=52·56 grs. at Madras) is found, it is sold by public auction, and one-third of the proceeds goes to government, the remainder to the mining contractor.
page 234 note 1 Benza, 's Notes, Madras Journal Lit, and Science for 01, 1837, pp. 48–9.Google Scholar
page 240 note 1 Madras Journal of Lit. and Science for 07, 1840, p. 95.Google Scholar