Dr. Kubassek János szerk.: A Kárpát-medence természeti értékei (Érd, 2004)
Dr. Miklós Kázmér: Dr. Edward Browne's visit in the mining towns of Lower Hungary in 1669
ethnography has received specialist attention. This paper is an attempt to follow the example by studying the some of the mineralogical heritage of the learned EDWARD BROWNE, and English medical doctor who travelled in Lower Hungary in I669, collected minerals, and published his observations. cientific societies, especially one of the first of them, the Royal Society of Kzfs London exerted considerable influence on where and how scientific information was gathered and communicated. By supplying travellers and residents with printed 'inquiries', i.e. lists of questions to be answered by observation (SPRAT, 1667), a great amount of written reports were received, together with samples and specimens of the object under scrutiny. These reports, often communicated at the weekly metings of the Society, helped to establish the new, critical method of scientific intelligence through multiple checks of data. Subsequently many of them found their way to be printed in the Philosophical Transactions. Specimens of significant and curious objects were then deposited in the Museum. Less than two decades of collecting made necessary to publish a catalogue of the Museum, scientifically organised and described by doctor GREW (I68I). Most of the inquiries - published anonimously - were assembled by Robert Boyle 2 , who was the spiritus rector of the society (KEAREY, 1971, p. 178). Several papers of BROWNE (l67()a-c) were written as replies to these inquiries. DWARD BROWNE, elder son of THOMAS BROWNE (of Religio Medici fame) was born \(y\n 1644 in Norwich, England. He studied medicine in Oxford and London. Between I668 and 1673 he travelled extensively in France, The Low Countries, Germany, Italy. Austria, Hungary, and Turkey. He published two books (BROWNE, 1673, I679) and several scientific papers on his observations. Browne was good observer, having interests mostly in mining and minerals. Upon return from the Grand Tour, BROWNE started a successful medical practice in London. He was doctor for the royal household and became president of the College of Physicians. He died in Northfleet in 1708. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY BROWNE AND HIS AGE
