The Recognition of Minerals. Being a Collection of Notes and Simple Tests for the Use of Travellers and Prospectors

Abstract

THE old days of prospecting, when scanty equipment and slender knowledge, if backed by sufficient perseverance, were all that was requisite, have gone never to return. The insatiable demands of present-day life for purposes both of peace and war —may be for a filament for an electric lamp of improved efficiency, or a new alloy to impart exceptional hardness to steel—have enormously increased the range of mineral substances which a successful prospector must bring within his purview. In fact, it is necessary for him to have at hand more knowledge than can be conveniently or accurately assimilated by the memory, and he is compelled either to prepare for himself a series of notes or to put in his pocket a book such as that which Mr. Moor has prepared. Himself a traveller, Mr. Moor writes with the understanding of one who knows what exactly is the information required, and many of the sections, for instance, those dealing with the subjects of “panning” and “vanning,” contain much detail of great practical value which may save the novice much time, trouble, and annoyance. To give that basis of theoretical knowledge which makes the radical difference between an intelligent understanding of the principles of the methods and merely blind rule-of-thumb working, several important monographs by Mr. MacAlister have been incorporated in the book. He has followed the customary treatment of the subjects, and discusses them in sufficient fulness for the purpose in view.

The Recognition of Minerals. Being a Collection of Notes and Simple Tests for the Use of Travellers and Prospectors.

By C. G. Moor. With Monographs on Geology, Ore Deposits, &c., by Donald A. MacAlister. Pp. vii + 231. (London: The Mining Journal, n.d.) Price 7s. 6d. net.