Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0159
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[Page 159]
Rio de Janeiro
they sometimes do in a month sometimes more or less then they return & after that it is death for any one to be found in the Countrey on any pretence whatever till the next year
Diamonds Topazes of several different qualities & amethysts are the stones that are cheifly found
Of the first I did not see any but was told that the viceroy had by him large quantities & would sell them on the King of Portugals account but in that case they would not be at all cheaper than those in Europe Topazes & amethysts I bought a few of for specimens the former were divided into three sorts of very different value Calld here pinga dogua Qualidade premeiro & segondo & chrystallos ormerilles they were sold large & small good & bad together by octavos or the eighth part of an ounce the first sort 4sh:9d; 2-4: 0-3 Amethysts but it was smugling in the highest degree to have any