1841 MUSEUM OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY 41 



various practical applications of the science might be 

 thoroughly illustrated by specimens, models, maps, 

 sections, and as much information as possible, not only 

 for the general public, but especially for the guidance 

 of all persons practically interested in mineral sub 

 stances and their applications. 



The premises assigned to him for the housing of 

 his collections were in a plain building of moderate 

 size, with no front to the street, and situated in the 

 retired space known as Craig s Court, Charing Cross. 

 The Museum of Economic Geology, thus started, was 

 in fair working order by 1839, though not ready to be 

 opened to the public for two years later. It was under 

 the control of the Office of Woods, but the Geological 

 Survey remained as a branch of the Ordnance Survey, 

 and De la Beche directed the Museum gratuitously. So 

 vigorously did he set to work that, besides the speci 

 mens of rocks, minerals, and fossils, he soon gathered 

 together, arranged, and displayed models of mines, 

 samples and models of mining machinery and appara 

 tus, with illustrations of metallurgical processes and of 

 the various industries which arise from the manipula 

 tion of mineral substances. 



He further secured sanction to fit up a laboratory, 

 and to appoint as Curator of the Museum one of 

 the best analytical chemists of his day, Richard 

 Phillips, who had taken part in the foundation of 

 the Geological Society. At this laboratory it was 

 arranged that the public might obtain analyses of 

 rocks, minerals, and soils. 



There was yet another important department which 

 De la Beche now organised. The British Association 

 had in 1838 memorialised Government to collect and 

 preserve documents recording the mining operations 



