PDF BOOK The Natural History Of Gems Or Decorative Stones.

The Natural History Of Gems Or Decorative Stones. To download the book click the link below then click the PDF link on the left hand side of the page. 


King, Charles William,
1818-1868.

PREFACE.

IN the Preface to the ' Natural History of Precious Stones,
I have fully stated the principles which have guided
me in altering the arrangement of my subject from that
observed in. the First Edition, and in recasting my materials
(largely augmented during the interval) into two separate
and independent parts. But, for the information of those
who may read the present volume alone, and might otherwise
be surprised at its apparent incompleteness, it is
necessary to mention beforehand that this, omitting the
precious, treats exclusively of the commoner species of
decorative minerals the term " Gems" being used for want
of any more definite appellation, to designate such as have
been claimed as its special dominion by the Glyptic Art of
all ages in the world's history, while at the same time
subserving, though in a less degree, the purposes of. the
jeweller. The previous Part, on the other hand, comprises
the History of the rise and progress of Mineralogy, as far
as regards this province of the science, from the earliest
times down to the seventeenth century ; the Description of
Precious Stones properly so denominated ; of the Precious
Metals considered chiefly in their relation to art ; and of
the more important remains exemplifying this relation
anywhere preserved. In both divisions the same method
of treating the subject has been pursued; but the very
nature of the articles seemed of itself to suggest the propriety
of classing them in two separate groups (especially
when the increase of matter necessitated two volumes for
their republication) instead of discussing them in mere
alphabetical sequence as I had done at first.

To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is occasionally
made in this volume to its companion on ' Precious
Stones, 3 "but to no great extent, it having been my object
to render each division of my subject complete in itself.
For the same reason, some observations properly belonging
to the other Part, have been reintroduced in this, when
absolutely required for the elucidation of the points under
consideration.

It would be most ungrateful for me to close my labours
in this field of ancient and modern science without availing
myself of the occasion to acknowledge great obligation
to Mr. Maskelyne, Professor of Mineralogy at Oxford, for
the ready kindness with which he has constantly favoured
this pursuit of mine ; by giving his judgment upon the true
character of antique materials that I have from time to
time submitted to him in all cases of doubt ; by the free
access he has allowed me, for the purpose of verifying
specimens, to the rich store of mineral treasures so admirably
displayed in the department of the British Museum
over which he presides ; and lastly, for numerous valuable
suggestions that have guided me in many difficult questions
to sound and satisfactory conclusions.

C. W. EJSTG.

Link
http://www.archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof028468mbp