Almost all of the instruments in the science collection of the College Museum can be grouped under the heading of physics, since in general terms they deal with the properties of materials rather than with their chemical composition.

Exceptions include the instruments and apparatus which are related to the chemical composition of substances, or to means of studying it, including goniometers and spectroscopy. The measurement of crystal angles is aimed chiefly at understanding chemical composition, as is practical spectroscopy.

This giant spectrometer was issued by the firm of Adam Hilger, London. Hilger was one of the leading production firms for such instruments in the late 19th/early 20th century.

References

Charles Mollan and John Upton, The scientific apparatus of Nicholas Callan and other historic instruments, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, 1994.