Pe heh. 
Tue text of the work which is now presented to the American 
public is based upon the well known “ BitpErR ArLas zum Con- 
veRSATIONS Lexicon,” just published in Leipsic, by F. A. Brock- 
Haus, and edited by Mr. Joun G. Hecx. The engravings are 
impressions from the original steel plates. 
The object steadily kept in view in preparing the [conoGrapuic 
Encyctorpapia has been to furnish a book to which the generil 
reader may apply, for an explanation of the principal physical 
facts which come under his notice. ‘To do this satisfactorily, 
pictorial representation is necessary, which it is hoped the five 
hundred quarto plates, with their 12,000 figures, will abundantly 
furnish. 
Much of the utility of an Encyclopedia depends on its arrange- 
ment. ‘The method which the Editor's experience of works of 
this kind has shown to be most convenient, is that of a systematic 
grouping of distinct treatises, according to their natural affinities. 
The work thus becomes, as it were, a series of text-books, capable 
of being used as such, and to which recourse may be had for all 
the general information required on a given subject. 
To enable the reader, however, to refer readily to any individual 
fact a copious alphabetical index, or series of indexes, is indis- 
pensable. By including numerous cross references, it will be 
possible to furnish all the facilities of a strictly alphabetical arrange- 
ment, without any of its disadvantages. 
