Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05


interests the general population OF the
country, and, in fact, the world at large.
The problem in questions is nothing less
than the possible locating of a vast dia-
mond mine or mines in the wilderness
beyond the great lakes.
That such a source of the precious
gems exists many biologists have now no
doubt Their differences in this respect
are based upon the discoveries of dia-
monGs that have already been made in
the United States and Canada, and the
fact that these were evidently carried to
the localities in which they were found
by the great ice invasion which once sub
merged the northern portion Of the coun-
try, and has left its traces In so many
ways For example. in the National
Museum may be seen the scorings in the
rocky lodges OF mountains made by the
huge icebergs ard glaciers as they swept
down with irresistible froce from farther
north, while glacial deposits. or mo-
raines' similar to those to be seen in
process of formation in the Alps today
are found in regions now thickiy popu-
lated as Ear south as Ohio, Pennsylvania
and New York.
1t is principally in these moraines, say
the biologists, that diamonds have been
and are still likely to be found, and it is
these ancient deposits that offer the clue
to the original home OF the diamonds.
Such gems as have been discovered are.
1t is conjectured, mere drops In the
bucket" compared with the great store
which probably still lies hidden in the
Canadian wilderness.
\ \
Already considerable labor and ingenuity
have been devoted. by the biologists OF
both Canada and the United States, to
the probable location of the hypothetical
diamond mines. The director of the
geological survey of Canada has given
attention to the mapping OF the Canadian
wilderness TO the southeastward and east
ward of James bay, in order to determine
the direction of the ice movement within
the region, so that the tracking of the
stones already found may be carried
nearer their home. The director has fur
Their suggested that a study be made Of
the material found in association with the
diamonds IN the morainc so that If pos
slble, its source may be discovered
The principal authenticated finds of dia-
monds that have been made in this coun-
try have one immediate source--thc So
called Kettle moraine." This morainc or
ridge was the dumping ground OF the ice
for its burden OF powders. gravel and
clay at tlr time of its later invasion. and
hence indicates. to the eye of the scien-
fist, the boundaries OF the territory over
which the Ice mass was then extended.
1t is asserted confidently by some OF
the biologists that search in the farm
houses in the neighborhood of the kettle
moraine and other similar localities would
reveal genuine diamonds treasured merely
as curious pebbles found in the neigh
borhood but the real nature Of which is
quite unsupported by the possessors. In
deed. two of three diamonds found in the
moraine remained in the hands of the
farming population, without coming to
the knowledge of the world. for periods of
eleven and seven years, respectively.
AS new diamond is discovered-and
the rate Of such ..nds is about one a
year in the United States-tf1e locality Is
accurately denoted upon a map which
indicates the sites of previous similar
finds, together with the area and direc-
ton of the glacial invasion, and all which
geological survey has disclosed in connec-
ton with the work of the great Ice cap
OF the remote glacial period. Each year,
say the biologists, is bringing with 1t
new evidence, and full solution of the
problem may be hopefully anticipated.
The history of diamond finds in this
cOpotry offers bc -ifeS hpa t,npn