56 
EAST WING. 
Introductory Entering the gallery the visitor will find, in the first window- 
Collections. cage on ^ e left-hand side, a series of specimens selected and 
labelled to serve as an introduction to the study of minerals. 
Beginning with a definition of what is meant by a Mineral, it 
is there shown how essential characters were gradually recog- 
nised, and how minerals have been distributed into kinds 
and classified. In the next three window-cases specimens are 
arranged to illustrate the various terms which have been found 
useful in the description of minerals. 
Eoek&t In the remaining window-cases on the left-hand side of the 
gallery, a corresponding series of specimens illustrative of the 
characters of Bocks is in course of arrangement ; and the window- 
cases on the opposite side will shortly contain a collection 
illustrating the various kinds of rocks. 
General The general visitor will now do well to return to the entrance 
Serais 11 ° f °^ ^ ne gallery and begin the examination of the table-cases in 
which are exhibited specimens of every mineral species and 
variety in the possession of the Museum. The cases con- 
taining the General Collection are numbered from 1 to 42, 
and the eight panes of each case are distinguished by the 
letters a to h. 
Tor the use of the student there is published a complete 
Index to the names and synonyms of all the mineral species 
and varieties represented in the Collection, with references to 
the table-cases in which specimens are placed.* 
The system of classification, which is necessarily constructed 
to include, not only ores, but all known minerals, is not very 
easy for a general visitor to follow, and it is thus convenient to 
indicate here the positions in the gallery of those minerals — as, 
for instance, precious and ornamental stones, and metallic ores 
— which have an interest for all ; for detail, reference must be 
made to the Departmental Guide. 
In cases 1 and 2 are the native metals, as Copper, Silver, Gold, 
and Platinum ; and non-metals, as Sulphur, Graphite, and Dia- 
mond. The large symmetrical crystal of Diamond, weighing 
1 30 carats, presented by Professor Ptuskin, is worthy of special 
attention (case lg). 
The next six cases contain minerals which have mostly a 
* 'The Student's Index to the Collection of Minerals.' Price twopence. 
