Front Matter

Life size model of a monster A complete skeleton of this huge pre-historic creature has been found, and the extinct animal has been named "Diplodocus Carnegii".

Preface

In the present volume the author has endeavoured to give a general survey of the most outstanding discoveries in Science, selecting those which are of most general interest. As stated in the first chapter, the title covers a very big subject. For this reason care has been taken not to burden the text with a multitude of names and dates; only a few of those are mentioned in the different chapters, but further details are given in an Appendix. The author has endeavoured to tell his story in as interesting a form as possible, but without any sacrifice of accurate statement.

For the reading of the proof-sheets the author is indebted to the following friends. To James Muir, D.SC., M.A. (Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Royal Technical College, Glasgow), and to H. Stanley Allen, M.A., D.SC. (Senior Lecturer in Physics, King's College, London University), for very kindly reading through the whole proof-sheets. Also to the following gentlemen for reading the chapters relating to their special subjects:—John G. McKendrick, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. (Emeritus-Professor of Physiology, Glasgow University); Magnus Maclean, M.A., D.SC., F.R.S.E. (Professor of Electrical Engineering, Royal Technical College, Glasgow); George G. Henderson, M.A., D.SC. (Professor of Chemistry, Royal Technical College, Glasgow); J. W. Gregory, D.Sc., F.R.S. (Professor of Geology, Glasgow University); J. Graham Kerr, M.A., F.R.S. (Professor of Zoology, Glasgow University); Frederick Soddy, M.A., F.R.S. (Independent Lecturer in Radioactivity in Glasgow University); Dr. R. M. Buchanan (Bacteriologist to the City of Glasgow); J. Montagu Drummond, M.A., B.SC. (Senior Lecturer in Botany, Glasgow University).

In connection with the illustrations the author is indebted to Professor Breuil (Paris), Dr. Carl Hagenbeck (Hamburg), Professor Elliot Smith (The University, Manchester), Professor James Muir (Glasgow), Dr. R. M. Buchanan (Glasgow), Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer (London), Miss E. C. Dudgeon (Dumfries), J. E. Barnard (Lecturer in Microscopy, King's College, London), A. W. Sheppard, F.R.M.S. (London), Arthur E. Smith (Commercial Photographer, London), Dick, Kerr & Co., Ltd., The Topical Press (London), and Pathe Freres (London). Also to the Editors of the following journals:—The Scientific American  (New York); Knowledge  (London); Illustrated London News; Archives of the Roentgen Ray  (London).

September, 1913