BRAZIL 
23 
Bicalho station produced from 1888 to 1912, 
over $26,000,000 worth of gold and as late as 
1911, paid a dividend of 10 per cent. An 
English authority has estimated the total out 
put of gold to date from all mines at $1,000,- 
000,000. 
Brazil is reputed to be the second largest 
diamond-producing country in the world, the 
Brazilian stone being considered fifty per cent, 
better than others owing to the constant attri 
tion it has undergone in prehistoric days. At 
one time more than 40,000 men were employed 
in this industry in Minas Geraes alone. The 
best diamond fields extend from 10 degrees to 
23 degrees south latitude and many enormous 
and high-grade stones have been discovered, 
the total amount exported in 173 years or up 
to 1903, being estimated at four tons. Edwin 
Streeter in his book on precious stones, says 
that “The State of Minas Geraes produced in 
the first twenty years 144,000 carats. Up to 
i 83°,—3,844,000 carats worth $43,000,000 
were sold and some $10,000,000 stolen from 
the mines by employes.” As an evidence of