river, and varying from a few inches to 40 or 50 feet in thickness. The diamonds are found almost everywhere through the gravel deposit.
Before describing the present mode of diamond extraction followed in the important mines, I will commence with these " River Washings," where, in their primitive simplicity, can be seen the modes of work and the simple machinery long since discarded in the large centres of the industry. The drift or so-called " river washings " present a very interesting phase of diamond industry. The work is carried on in the primitive fashion adopted in the early days of diamond discovery, every man working on his own little claim, assisted by a few natives, and employing primitive machinery (Fig. 1). The chief centre of the Vaal River washings is about 30 miles to the north-west of Kimberley, at a place called Klipdam No. 2. There was originally a Klipdam a few miles further, and here the miners con-
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