Cabinet of Minerals at Cambridge ( United States). 391 



The collection embraces (with the exception of a very few 

 of the rarest substances) all the late discoveries, and many of 

 those specimens the localities of which are exhausted, and 

 many of which are now rarely met with even in the large col- 

 lections of Europe. The suite of Ores is peculiarly rich, as is 

 likewise the volcanic department; and the gems and precious 

 stones are numerous. The specimens are all well character- 

 ized, and the crystallizations are remarkably fine. 



This collection is arranged in the spacious room formerly 

 used as the Commons Hall, being \5\ feet in length, 36y feet 

 wide, and 17f feet high. 



The specimens are placed in cases with glass doors against 

 the walls of the room, which to the height of ten feet are com- 

 pletely covered by them ; a large pi'oportion of the most beau- 

 tiful specimens are arranged upon eight glazed tables, and the 

 residue in nearly 200 drawers. 



One of the tables is appropriated to the external charac- 

 ters of mineral substances, on which are disposed the most 

 distinctly characterized specimens, illustrating all the techni- 

 cal terms of the science, the different varieties of colour, of 

 fracture, lustre, transparency, hardness, &c. &c. To these 

 succeed the most perfect crystals illustrating the primary forms 

 of Werner and Haiiy, the modifications of these forms, and 

 the effect of truncations, bevelments, &c. — A suite of models of 

 crystals, in wood, terminates this first division of the cabinet. 



The second division is the systematic arrangement of the 

 different substances according to their chemical composition ; 

 this method has been adopted, as it is intended to combine the 

 instruction in chemistry with mineralogy. 



The third division comprises the Geological part of the col- 

 lection, in which the rocks are arranged in the relative order 

 in which they are presented to us by nature, and in connexion 

 with each are seen the minerals composing the rock, and those 

 which are more or less accidentally present in it, together with 

 the metallic ores and fossil remains. 



The fourth division is Geographical, commencing with the 

 mineral productions of the United States, arranged according 

 to States. 



The last division is intended to embrace all the products of 

 the Mineral kingdom employed in the arts and manufactures, 

 in their natural state, and in the different stages of preparation. 

 This department is one of peculiar interest and importance in 

 tliis country, and can only be rendered complete by the libe- 

 rality of artists and manufacturers, who, it is hoped, will not 

 be backward to transmit to the University such specimens as 

 will best illustrate the different stages of all the processes con- 

 nected 



