May II, 1876] 



NATURE 



-23 



Under the comprehensive head of Application of the 

 Principles of Mechanics to Machinery, as employed in 

 the Arts, the catalogue gives a description of 136 varieties of 

 apparatus, from the first type-composing machine invented 

 by Alex. Mackie, which comes from Dundee, down to the 

 latest forms of link-work. 



Chemistry, Section 13, is of course one of the most 

 prominent and important sections in the whole collection. 

 When we say that the catalogue contains 360 entries 

 under this head, we give very little idea of the multitude 

 and variety of objects which have been brought together 

 to illustrate the methods and results of the all-pervading 

 science. The first entry is the apparatus employed by 

 John Dalton in his researches, and is accompanied by a 

 long descriptive and historical notice by Prof. Roscoe. 

 Cavendish, Davy, Faraday (" Original tubes containing 

 gases liquefied by Faraday,'' must be an exciting entry to 

 many chemists), Wollaston, are names attached to some 'of 

 the apparatus of historical interest ; of Models, Diagrams, 

 Apparatus, &c., em.ployed in teaching Chemistry there 

 is no end, and all the infinite variety of special chemical 

 apparatus is amply illustrated, there being upwards of 

 200 entries under this head, representing probably more 

 than ten times that number of separate objects. 



The rapid advances and present complexity and compre- 

 hensiveness of Meteorological science are shown by the 

 catalogue to be illustrated with wonderful fulness in the 

 collection. The endless variety of Barometers, Ther- 

 mometers, Anemometers, Rain-gauges, Hygrometers, 

 Self-recording Instruments, Ozonometers, and other ap- 

 paratus used in meteorology, will excite the>stonishment 

 of all but specialists. The Scottish Meteorological So- 

 ciety is a large contributor in this section, and some of 

 their intensely practical graphic results must appeal to 

 the blindest utilitarian. - 



Geography is sure to be a popular section, and we can 

 only say that in its various sub-divisions are objects cal- 

 culated to rouse the interest of the most incurious. The 

 m.ethods, apparatus, and results of the various surveys 

 of this country and of India are illustrated in the 

 greatest detail, and now that the Challenger is near- 

 ing our shores, many will be curious to see some of the 

 apparatus with which her important ocean-researches 

 have been conducted. There is a vast variety of sur- 

 veying apparatus with which Geography obtains her ap- 

 parently simple results, and of Maps, Charts, and Plans 

 of all kinds the list is endless. Everyone must inspect 

 with very curious feelings the original Journals, Log- 

 books, &c., kept by celebrated English navigators from 

 Dampier downwards, not to mention the valuable MS. 

 Maps of Livingstone and other celebrated explorers. 



Geology, Mining, and Mineralogy, Sections 16 and 

 1 7, are well represented. They include Geological Instru- 

 ments and Apparatus ; Maps, Sections, Diagrams, &c., 

 lent by the Geological Survey ; illustrations of the Sub- 

 Wealden boring ; various Relief-maps and Models illus- 

 trating Geological Phenomena all over the world; Fossils 

 and Specimens of all kinds, natural and artificial ; Min- 

 ing Instruments and accessories, including a case of 46 

 varieties of Safety-lamp ; Blowpipe Apparatus ; Minerals, 

 Diagrams, Models of Crystals, &c. 



The Section of Biology has 500 entries, embracing pro- 

 bably eight times that number of separate objects. Of 



microscopes and accessory apparatus, there are upwards 

 of 150 from the Compound Microscope of Zacharias 

 Janssen, spectacle-maker, at Middleburg, Netherlands, 

 constructed about 1590, down to the latest and most com- 

 plicated form of this now indispensable and powerful 

 instrument. Then there are many specimens of the 

 curious and ingenious apparatus employed in Physio- 

 logical Optics, Weighing and Measuring Apparatus, 

 Apparatus for investigating the functions of Circulation 

 and Respiration, of Muscles and Nerves, and an endless 

 variety of Diagrams, Models, Preparations, and other 

 appliances for instruction in Biology. Wolf's Collection 

 of 106 Original Water-Colour Drawings illustrating the 

 new and rare animals in the Zoological Gardens will 

 prove nearly as attractive as the originals themselves. 



Under Educational Appliances, Section 19, there are 

 apparatus for practical instruction in Science in every 

 department, including a very fine and large collection of 

 apparatus for instruction in Physical Science, contributed 

 by the Committee of the Pedagogical Museum, Russia, 

 This section contains upwards of 550 entries. 



Last of all comes the Collection of Apparatus and Pho- 

 tographs illustrating Italian Science, more especially in 

 the departments of Physics, Mechanics, and Astronomy. 

 There are many objects here desemng special mention, 

 but our space forbids further detail. We have already 

 referred to Galileo's instruments, and besides these there 

 are many others of great antiquity and of much interest 

 in connection with the progress of scientific apparatus. 



This rapid glance at the contents of the Catalogue will 

 give but a faint idea of the rich feast in store for those 

 who during the next few months will be attracted to the 

 South Kensington galleries. To give anything like an 

 adequate idea of the contents of the collection would take 

 a long series of articles. 



We have said that the Catalogue, even in its present 

 incomplete and rough form, is something more than 

 a mere list of titles ; it is very largely descriptive. 

 But something more was required to show the purpose 

 and import and historical place of the multitude of sepa- 

 rate instruments in the various sections. This want is 

 supplied in the admirable Handbook, of 340 pages, con- 

 sisting of a series of descriptive and historical articles on 

 the various sections by some of the moat eminent living 

 British men of science. It will be enough if we give here 

 the names of the authors and the subjects of which they 

 treat. In value the Handbook should be put alongside 

 the Admiralty Manual issued to the Arctic Expedition ; 

 though probably no such unique collection of scientific 

 memoirs was ever before put within reach of the public. 

 The first paper is by Prof. Clerk-Maxwell, being " General 

 Considerations respecting Scientific Apparatus;" Prof. 

 Maxwell has also a paper in his own special domain. 

 Molecular Physics. Prof. H. J. S. Smith writes on 

 "Arithmetical Instruments" and "Geometrical Instru- 

 ments and Models." Prof. W. K. Clifford also contri- 

 butes two papers, on " Instruments used in Measure- 

 ments " and on " Instruments illustrating Kinematics, 

 Statics, and Dynamics." Then there are papers by Dr. 

 W. H. Stone, on " Acoustical Instruments," by Mr. W. 

 Spottiswoode on " Optical Instruments," by Capt. Abney 

 on " Photographic Printing Processes," by Prof. Tait on 

 " Instruments employed in Heat Investigations ; " two 



