In this Series of ' Scientific Handbooks ' these and 

 kindred subjects will be dealt with, and so dealt with 

 as to be intelligible to all who seek knowledge to all 

 who take an interest in the scientific problems and 

 discoveries of the day, and are desirous of following 

 their course. It is intended to give in a compact 

 form, and in an attractive style, the progress made in 

 the various departments of science, to explain novel 

 processes and methods, and to show how so many 

 wonderful results have been obtained. The treatment 

 of each subject by thoroughly competent writers will 

 ensure perfect scientific accuracy ; at the same time, 

 it is not intended for technical students alone. Being 

 written in a popular style, it is hoped that the volumes 

 will also appeal to that large class of readers who, 

 not being professional men, are yet in sympathy with 

 the progress of science generally, and take an interest 

 in it. 



The Series will therefore aim to be of general 

 interest, thoroughly accurate, and quite abreast of 

 current scientific literature, and, wherever necessary, 

 well illustrated. Any one who masters the details of 

 each subject treated will possess no mean knowledge of 

 that subject ; and the student who has gone through 

 one of these volumes will be able to pursue his studies 

 with greater facility and clearer comprehension in 

 larger manuals and special treatises. 



The first volume is a Manual of the Art of Assaying 

 Precious Metals, and will be found valuable not only 

 to the amateur, but also to the assayer, metallurgist, 

 chemist, and miner. It has proved itself a desirable 

 addition to the libraries of Mining Companies, engi- 



