which had destinations as far distant as Germany and remote parts of the United Kingdom, whither they were despatched for the purpose of ensuring their scientific and technical accuracy. Many thousand proofs were thus scattered in various directions, yet all were required to be gathered together again, and arranged precisely in the same form and order as that assumed prior to their dispersion. Some of these proofs were not more than three inches long, and not broader than a narrow ribbon, containing only two or three lines; the difficulty of determining and immediately affixing the proper place of such a minute strip in a work of such magnitude as the present, seemed to be great. A simple method of ascertaining not merely the place in the catalogue, but its entire history, its destination, annotator, and return was, however, contrived, and the Record of history history of every proof has thus been accurately recorded. The information thus obtained, was so accurate and precise, that on the temporary delay of very small proofs, their original destination was instantly discovered, together with the date of transmission, and the name of the annotator to whom they had been sent. Much punctuality characterized the return of the dismembered portions of this large volume. Had not such been the case, the original plan of scientific and technical revision could not have been persisted in. As a general rule, it was considered advisable to limit annotations to an average of eight or ten lines in length; but in certain instances, where peculiar technical, local, or scientific information has been available, this rule has been to a very considerable extent departed from.

of proofs.

Technological mistranslations.

Mottoes selected by Prince Albert.

The language of the arts among various nations has always been regarded as of extreme difficulty in translation. A considerable portion of this work is necessarily written in this language, and it is therefore to be expected that, notwithstanding the precautions employed, errors of description may occur in those parts of it which describe the productions of foreign exhibitors. It is requested that these may be pointed out. In a number of instances technical terms have been explained by notes. As far as it was possible foreign weights and measures have been converted into English.

The mottoes on the title-pages of this work were selected and placed by HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT.

There is a peculiar feature in this Catalogue to which attention requires to be directed. This is the fact, that it embodies to a large extent the science of commerce. An attempt has been made here to convert the changing and inaccurate conventional terms of trade into the precise and enduring expressions of science. In classes 1 to 4 of the Exhibition, are contained specimens of a vast proportion of the raw materials upon which human industry daily operates throughout the world. In the majority of the descriptions of the articles exhibited in these four classes, will be found the commercial names of the materials, together with their Catalogue valu- scientific equivalents. As an instance, may be mentioned the woods employed for furniture, which are enumerated, with their commercial names, their Latin names, their native habitats, and the uses to which they are applicable. In the present edition of this work, prepared as it has necessarily been under highly unfavourable circumstances as to accuracy and correction, this attempt may not be as successful as in future editions; but such arrangements are made in order to obtain this important and valuable result, as will render future editions of this Catalogue permanently valuable in this respect, not only to the naturalist, but also to commercial men. That this feature of the Catalogue will not be without

able as illustrative of the science of trades.

its fruit in the promotion of the objects of industry, may be expected from the knowledge of the fact, that hitherto, in consequence of the absence of such information in a collected form, the greatest difficulties have been experienced by commercial men in their endeavours to introduce into trade any new material of industrial importance, or to obtain adequate supplies of materials already known, but known under a variety of changing, local, and unintelligible terms. In the seventeenth century, ROBERT BOYLE perceived the important results likely to arise from the "naturalist's insight into trades." It may be hoped that such results will now not fail of their accomplishment.

Catalogue.

The smaller Catalogue is an abstract of the present work. It was prepared by Abridged condensing the revised and corrected slips forming the Illustrated Catalogue. For economy of space it was necessary to confine the descriptions in that work to an average length of three or four lines.

On the first announcement of a Descriptive Catalogue, erroneous ideas as to its size prevailed, to so large an extent as to lead to the fear that a sufficiency of type of the kind required could scarcely be obtained within the necessary time. Statements appeared which gave birth to the opinion that such a work could not be contained in less than ten volumes of eight hundred pages each; and for a considerable time it appeared probable that more than three such volumes would Size. be required to complete this record of universal industry. It was soon rendered apparent that the estimates thus formed were incorrect. The articles contributed by a number of exhibitors-as in textile manufactures-were of a kind which did not admit of descriptions at length; and the returned forms of such articles were generally received written in the customary abbreviated language of commerce. In cases of another kind, where descriptions of greater length were not only admissible but desirable, economy of space has been obtained by the adoption of a condensed style. The Descriptive Catalogue has thus been reduced, notwithstanding the addition of annotations, to a convenient size.

Value.

That a work produced under the circumstances in which this Catalogue appears should contain inaccuracies, can less be cause of surprise than would its complete accuracy. One of the greatest obstacles to its correctness has been the incessant necessity for alterations of place and insertions of fresh material. In its preparation, however, an attempt has been made to communicate to it a value enduring beyond that of the occasion of its production. The vast and wonderful Permanent accumulation of the products of human industry, of which it professes to be the exponent, is gathered only for a time. The intention of this Great Collection accomplished and its objects realized, the industrial store must be again scattered among the nations contributing to the gathering. But this record of the history of the Great Exhibition must endure beyond the duration of the Exhibition itself. May it remain to indicate to other times the successful accomplishment of the greatest conception of our own, and the favour of the Divine Providence effecting that result.

ROBERT ELLIS.

ANNOTATORS OF THE CATALOGUE.

Professor OWEN, F.R.S.

Baron JUSTUS LIEBIG, F.R.S.
Professor LINDLEY, F.R.S.

Professor FORBES ROYLE, F.R.S.
Professor BELL, F.R.S., Sec. R.S.
Professor E. FORBES, F.R.S.
Professor ANSTED, F.R.S.
Professor HOSKING.

Professor A. DE MORGAN, M.A.

PHILIP PUSEY, M.P., F.R.S.

Rev. J. BARLOW, F.R.S.

Rev. J. BOOTH, F.R.S.

Capt. L. L. BOSCAWEN IBBETSON, F.R.S.

JAMES GLAISHER, F.R.S.

J. E. GRAY, F.R.S.

ROBERT HUNT, Keeper of Mining Records.
ROBERT ELLIS, F.L.S.

SAMUEL CLEGG, Jun., F.G.S.

W. DE LA RUE, F.R.S.

J. SPURGIN, M.D.
JOHN WILSON, F.R.S.E.
HENRY DIBDIN.

W. C. AITKEN.

H. MAUDSLAY, C.E.

ROBERT HENDRIE, Jun.

J. A. NICHOLAY.

Official Revision and Sanction for Publication by Lieut.-Colonel J. A. LLOYD, F.R.S.
Scientific Revision and Preparation by ROBERT ELLIS, F.L.S.

Historical Introduction by HENRY COLE.

Construction of the Building by M. DIGBY WYATT, C.E., F.R.I.B.A.

Classification of Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition is divided
by Dr. LYON PLAYFAIR, F.R.S.

Compilation and Preparation of the Abridged Catalogue by G. W. Yapp.

Technical information and assistance have also been rendered by Mr. G. TAYLOR, Mr. T. BATTAM, Professor WALLACE, M.A., Mr. C. TOMLINSON, Mr. JOHN GRAHAM Mr. E. H. DENISON, and other Gentlemen. Much valuable information and assistance have also been kindly furnished by the Royal Commissioners for several of the Foreign States exhibiting. Their contributions have been inserted partly in the form of notes, and occasionally in that of a short introduction.

CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECTS IN THE THIRTY CLASSES INTO WHICH THE EXHIBITION IS DIVIDED.

CLASS.

RAW MATERIALS.

I. Mining, Quarrying, Metallurgical Operations, and Mineral Products.

II. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Processes and Products generally.

III. Substances used for Food.

IV. Vegetable and Animal Substances, chiefly used in Manufactures, as Implements, or for Ornament.

MACHINERY.

V. Machines for direct use, including Carriages and Railway and Naval Mechanism.

VI. Manufacturing Machines and Tools.

VII. Civil Engineering, Architectural, and Building Contrivances.

VIII. Naval Architecture and Military Engineering; Ordnance, Armour, and Accoutrements.

IX. Agricultural and Horticultural Machines and Implements.

X. Philosophical Instruments and Processes depending upon their use; Musical, Horological, and
Surgical Instruments.

MANUFACTURES.

XI. Cotton.

XII. Woollen and Worsted.

XIII. Silk and Velvet.

XIV. Manufactures from Flax and Hemp.

XV. Mixed Fabrics, including Shawls, but exclusive of Worsted Goods (Class XII.).

XVI. Leather, including Saddlery and Harness, Skins, Fur, Feathers, and Hair.

XVII. Paper and Stationery, Printing and Bookbinding.

XVIII. Woven, Spun, Felted, and laid Fabrics, when shown as specimens of Printing or Dyeing.

XIX. Tapestry, including Carpets and Floor-cloths, Lace and Embroidery, Fancy and Industrial Works. XX. Articles of Clothing for immediate personal or domestic use.

XXI. Cutlery and Edge Tools.

XXII. Iron and General Hardware.

XXIII. Working in precious Metals, and in their imitation, Jewellery, and all articles of Virtu and Luxury, not included in all other Classes.

XXIV. Glass.

XXV. Ceramic Manufactures, China, Porcelain, Earthenware, &c.

XXVI. Decoration Furniture and Upholstery, including Paper-hangings, Papier Maché, and Japanned Goods.

XXVII. Manufactures in Mineral Substances, used for building or decoration, as in Marble, Slate, Porphyries, Cements, Artificial Stones, &c.

XXVIII. Manufactures from Animal and Vegetable Substances, not being Woven or Felted, or included in other Sections.

XXIX. Miscellaneous Manufactures and Small Wares.

FINE ARTS.

XXX. Sculpture, Models, and Plastic Art.

1. Ores and the Methods of dressing and rendering Ores II. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Processes and Promerchantable.