PREFACE. THE present volume is intended to serve a double purpose—that of a guide-book for the use of visitors to the British Museum, more full and popular than any yet existing; and that of a descriptive account of this national collection, sufficiently interesting in itself to be read with pleasure by persons at a distance. It appeared that both these purposes would be best attained by introducing, in connection with each department, as much of general information as possible. What renders visits to such collections often tedious and bewildering is, that the visitor goes unprovided with the necessary amount of preliminary knowledge; and what renders most guide-books unsatisfactory is, that they do not attempt to supply it. Almost all the illustrations have been engraved from drawings taken on the spot. Where so great a variety of topics has been gone over by one hand, error can hardly have been altogether avoided. But though mistakes of detail may be occasionally detected by the technical reader, it is hoped that none will be discovered materially affecting the special utility of the volume. A few slight changes in the arrangements of the Museum, effected since the work was written, are indicated in an Appendix; and whatever farther changes may occur shall be carefully noted in future editions. The necessity of such alterations, however, is much to be regretted, seeing that permanency of arrangement is a most desirable feature in all such exhibitions of miscellaneous objects. LONDON, October 1850. CONTENTS. PAGE I. ETHNOGRAPHICAL ROOM.- Objects Illustrative of Chinese, II. EGYPTIAN ROOM.-Ancient Egypt - History Temples - Houses-Furniture - Dress - Food - Utensils - Musical Instruments - Implements - Machinery - Useful Arts Armour-Amusements-Religious Rites-Deities-Funeral Ceremonies-Embalming-Literature-Fine Arts, &c. III. BRONZE ROOM.-History and Manufacture of Bronze- Ancient Bronze Weapons and Pieces of Armour-Utensils I. MINERALOGICAL SECTION. Classification of Minerals Electro-Positive Native Metals and their Unoxidized Com- binations-Electro-Negative Metals and Metalloids with their Unoxidized Combinations-Oxides of the Electro-Positive Metals-Oxides of the Electro-Negative Bodies and their Combinations-Organico-Chemical Substances, II. BOTANICAL SECTION.-Classification of Plants-Linnæan and Jussieuian Methods - Sloanian, Banksian, and other Her- bariums composing the Collection, III. ZOOLOGICAL SECTION.-1. Northern Zoological Gallery- 3. The Mammalia Saloon-The Central Lobby-and the Southern Zoological Gallery. 4. Geological or Palæontological Section- Inscriptions-Sarcophagi-Sepulchral Tablets-Carved Obe- lisks Statues-Colossal Figures, &c. II. ASSYRIAN SCULPTURES.-General Account-Layard's Dis- coveries-Cuneiform Inscriptions-Bas-Reliefs - Detached Sculptures-Ivories and Miscellaneous Ornaments, III. GREEK AND ROMAN SCULPTURES. General Account |