HISTORIC INSTRUMENTS FOR 
THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 
Some Extracts from Reviews 
1 The collection of ancient scientific instruments in Oxford, 
housed as it is within contemporary walls, is something unique. 
Here it really behoves the visitor to Oxford to linger “ amazed 
and curious”, and in the little book before us Dr. Gunther 
provides those who are but slenderly equipped for such enjoy¬ 
ment with the means of grasping what is before them. . . . The 
book contains, indeed, a surprising amount of information.’ 
Notes and Queries. 
1 Few people, whether students or otherwise, who pass the 
somewhat decayed buildings of the Ashmolean Museum in 
Oxford have much idea of the historical interest of the valu¬ 
able instruments which it contains. This little handbook of 
ninety pages will enable them to find their way about the 
collection.’— Conquest. 
‘ This little book is a handbook to the collections of instru¬ 
ments in the Ashmolean Museum. It deals delightfully with 
the astrolabes, dials, nocturnals, quadrants, theodolites, and 
microscopes of the past.’— Discovery. 
* This is a handbook to the historical Scientific Instruments 
in Oxford. No other place in the world can boast the 
possession of so many ancient instruments in contemporary 
buildings as can Oxford University. This little guide con¬ 
tains a lot of interesting information about the various exhibits 
in the Ashmolean Museum, with notes on the more interesting 
instruments.’— Scottish Educational Journal. 
‘ It gives in brief outline a general survey of the collection 
together with sufficient historic notes to place the instruments 
in their true perspective, and to enable the general reader to 
form some appreciation of the interest and value of the 
collection.’— Nature. 
