348 Minerals. 



by purchase, presentation or exchange, and incorporated with 

 the systematic collection ; special attention being given to the 

 improvement of the series of Meteorites, which was separated by 

 Mr. Maskelyne from the systematic mineral collection itself in 

 1863-64, and arranged in two small special wall-cases. 



In 1857 the Museum was in no way equipped for the making 

 of scientific research on minerals, so necessary for their accurate 

 discrimination ; there was virtually no physical apparatus, and 

 there was no chemical laboratory at all ; further, the necessity 

 of avoiding any risk of the destruction of the Museum by 

 fire made it impossible to allow the use of gas and to fit up 

 laboratories, or even use a blowpipe, within the building. Yet, 

 as early as 1861, a microscope with a revolving graduated stage 

 and an eye-piece micrometer was constructed, under the keeper's 

 directions, for the examination of thin sections of meteorites 

 with the aid of polarised light ; and a reflective goniometer, 

 provided with a telescope, was specially designed for the depart- 

 ment for use in the measurement of crystals. With these 

 instrumental aids the beginning at least of research became 

 possible; though at a heavy cost to Mr. Maskelyne, his eyes 

 being soon permanently injured through the strain rendered 

 necessary by the weakness of the available illumination. For 

 short periods of time, Dr. V. von Lang (1862-64), now Professor 

 of Physics in the University of Vienna, Mr. W. J. Lewis (1875-77), 

 now Professor of Mineralogy in the University of Cambridge, 

 and Mr. L. Fletcher (1878-80), served as assistants during 

 Mr. Maskelyne's keepership, and gave help more especially in 

 the crystallographic examination and in the registration of the 

 specimens. Further, in 1867, a departmental chemical laboratory 

 was fitted up in a private house outside the Museum precincts, 

 and Dr. W. Flight was appointed assistant ; during his tenure 

 of office he gave much help in the chemical analysis of the speci- 

 mens, but his position of isolation in an outside laboratory had 

 the great disadvantage of preventing his close association with 

 the general departmental work. The provision of a chemical 

 laboratory, however, made it possible to submit specimens to a 

 more critical examination than previously. 



All the time of the departmental staff which could be spared 

 from administrative work was devoted to chemical, goniometrical 

 or microscopical research on the specimens. 



