150 ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



To a third is generally assigned the chemical analysis, 

 of both minerals and rocks. 



Though a mineralogist can no longer satisfactorily attempt 

 to keep abreast of scientific knowledge and undertake scien- 

 tific work in more than one of the three main branches of the 

 subject (physical, petrological, and chemical), such a sharp 

 limitation of the work of the assistants would be contrary to 

 the interests of the Museum ; hence, as far as possible, it is 

 arranged that each assistant has the opportunity of acquiring 

 a general knowledge of the specimens preserved in the 

 department, and of thus becoming more useful than he other- 

 wise would be during the absence of his colleagues. 



Four Attendants. — One is specially employed in the prepara- 

 tion of thin sections of minerals and rocks for examination 

 with the microscope ; a second is charged with the arrange- 

 ment and cataloguing of the departmental library ; the 

 two others with the more mechanical work of the chemical 

 laboratory, the packing and unpacking of specimens, copying, 

 &c. 



One Boy- Attendant. — ^The boy-attendant is charged with 

 the sale of the departmental guides, attends on the superior 

 officers as required, and does a large part of the simpler 

 mechanical work, such as the filling of trays with clean cotton- 

 wool. 



The general duties of dusting the cases, assisting the officers 

 in the gallery, &c., are also performed by the attendants and 

 boy-attendant. 



General. 



A complete chemical and physical examination of the rare 

 mineral Augelite has been made, and a description prepared 

 for publication ; quantitative analyses have also been made of 

 the Bherai meteorite, Zinckenite, and a Zeolite, 



Crystallographic and optical determinations have been 

 made of Apatite, Pyrites, Sphene, Acmite, Spangolite, Boron, 

 Leucite, Cuprite, Garnet, Idocrase, and numerous Zeolites. 



The descriptive catalogue of Tetrahedrite, Iron Pyrites, 

 Stephanite, and Bournonite has been brought up to date. 



Chemical examinations have been made of Stercorite, 

 Serpentine, Sphserostilbite, Cinnabar, Diadochite and Pitti- 

 cite (IG specimens), and some rare Tantalum- and Zirconium- 

 minerals. 



Twenty-seven doubtful minerals and meteorites have been 

 chemically examined in the laboratory, and 15 determinations 

 of specific gravity have been made. 



A complete series of variety-labels, the requisite species- 

 and locality-labels, and a series of labels for the polished 

 specimens of Ornamental Stones exhibited in a wall-case in 

 the corridor, have been prepared and printed. 



A slip 



