Minerals--Past obstacles to the proper working of mines--Gold--Auriferous prospects--Situation of the goldfields of Uruguay--Past and present workings of the mines--Influence of politics on labour--The Corrales mines--Manganese--Districts in which iron ore is met with--Mineral centres--Minas--Maldonado-- Silver--Copper--Marble--Gypsum--Slate--Sulphur--Asbestos--Precious stones--Diamonds and rubies--Jasper--Agate--The amethyst and topaz--The water-stone--A peculiarity of Uruguay--Viticulture-- Date of the introduction of the vine--Vicissitudes at the start-- Subsequent rapid progress--Vineyard area of the present day--The introduction of suitable plants--Countries of origin--Production of grapes and wine--Departments most suitable to the industry--The seal fisheries--Originally carried on by the Indians--Habits of the seals--Development of the industry--Government grants--Conditions and concessions--Number of skins obtained since 1873--Islands inhabited by the seals--Method of killing and curing--Waste of seal life--Suggestions for the improvement of the industry-- Scientific measures necessary--A diplomatic incident in connection with the seal fisheries. It is quite possible that Uruguayan minerals may yet cause something of a sensation throughout the world. In the past her deposits of the kind have lain comparatively undisturbed, owing to similar reasons that have hampered the industry in Peru and Bolivia--want of transport facilities. With the rapid spread of the railways, however, these disadvantages will shortly become minimised, when no doubt considerably more will be heard of the mineral wealth of the country. Let it be clear that I am not making the following remarks in the character of a mining expert. The latter profession, according to vulgar report, is at times not averse to fiction; but the gap that separates an author from a goldfield is uncomfortably wide. This apparently frivolous foreword is not altogether uncalled for, since to speak with undue optimism of the presence of the yellow dross is dangerous to the layman writer, and profitable only to the expert. Nevertheless, the auriferous prospects of Uruguay, so far as such can ever be assured, give no small promise of success.