Abstract
THIS excellent little guidebook is worthy of the highest praise. It is a good deal more than a book which tells you the primary facts respecting the objects in the cases, inasmuch as it contains a simple and elementary introduction to the study of minerals. For such a purpose the principal crystallographic, physical, and chemical characters should be explained, and the way in which these characters serve as a means of classification should be shown. Mr. Fletcher has done this excellently. He shows how the science of crystallography grew by the discoveries of Steno, Romé de I'Isle, Haüy, and others to its present state, in which it serves as a most, if not the most, important element in the discrimination of minerals. The way in which Brewster's discoveries in crystal-optics confirmed the results of crystallographic investigation is pointed out; and a brief sketch of the progress of chemistry from the days of alchemy is also given.
A Guide to the Universal Gallery of the British Museum (Natural History).
By L. Fletcher. (Printed by order of the Trustees.)
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
A Guide to the Universal Gallery of the British Museum (Natural History) . Nature 32, 364 (1885). https://doi.org/10.1038/032364c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/032364c0