Tiie publication
of 1859 having been exhausted for several years, the numerous
applications from booksellers for a supply have induced the author to
issue another edition, and to improve it in adding an Appendix to the
work on such subjects which, in his judgment, was considered
indispensable; it was to give to his readers the chronology of
mineralogical knowledge, from its first dawn to the present day, and
with much perseverance and labor he accomplished this task. It was
thought advisable and useful to add tables of the distinguishing
characteristics of gems, so as to have at one glance a condensed survey
of the physical and chemical characters of all the gems, and they were,
therefore, copied from Mr. Harry Emanuel's late work on Diamonds and
Precious Stones, as also many remarks on the value and market prices of
gems, etc.
The
author was requested to have his likeness placed in front of the work,
and reluctantly complied with it; but while doing so, he is satisfied
that his numerous friends on the Pacific will consider it acceptable.
On account of the latter change, the former frontispiece had
neeessarily to be altered, and the best place was Part III., where the
individual gems were treated on page 183, but the Kohinoor and Zircon
crystals were deemed best to be replaced by other gems, which his
friend, Mr. G. C. Newcomb, kindly furnished him for copy-•ing; they are
a large Ruby spinelle of 100 carats weight, and a large Hyacinthe, and
a beautiful precious Opal, which were photographed along with various
gems and executed very faithfully.
In
the present great Paris Exposition, according to the official
catalogue, a great many valuable gems are mentioned, such as the Crown
Jewels of France; those from the Queen of Sweden; also those of Russia;
and from the various English, German, Turkish and French jewellers;
also, a Brazilian Topaz, of 
lbs. weight, 
inches long and 4§ inches wide, has recently been deposited. The
extensive display of Corals, one set of which was valued at $2,300, and
many others, but, for want of a detailed description, could not be
enumerated in this Treatise.
The
author had latterly occasion to examine at the jewelry store of Messrs.
Bishop & Rein, under the Fifth wenue Hotel, Jfew-York, a beautiful
white Brilliant, of J4 carats weight, and a great variety of splendid
pink Corals. Also, at Doucet's store, Montreal, from Thunder Bay, Lake
Superior, large masses of Amethysts, weighing several hundred pounds.
The
author takes pleasure in recommending the Heliographic Engraving
Company, under the superintendence of Baron Egloff-stein.; the author's
likeness having been executed by them with much skill. • Praise is also
due to Mr. Schnapauff, who much improved the Cpjoring of the gems, many
of them true to nature.
With
these few remarks, the author commits herewith the present edition to
the reader, and trusts it may prove useful and instructive, which will
ever gratify the public servant,
Lewis Feuchtwangeb, M. D.
NeW-Yobk, June 1,1867.
