'Reflections on some Minerahgical Systems. 423 



nience of this method, as we there see fossils essentially 

 different plaeed together, while those of the same species 

 are dispersed in consequence of some accidental variety." 

 In a note, p. 127, he speaks or " aggregated parts, or of 

 those which we can obtain by mechanical division, and of 

 those whose union forms the preceding, or of simple parts 

 which are not divisible without changing their nature. As 

 to those which compose the simple parts, and which, in fact, 

 are themselves compounds (I cite the words of the author), 

 they take the name of constituent parts. I shall, however, 

 call primitive constituent parts those which form the con- 

 stituents, and which are neither compounds nor aggregates, 

 but absolutely simple parts or the first elements of matter.'* 

 It appears to me that there is nothing in all that I have 

 quoted, which has any reference to the form of the inte- 

 gral molecule. It is there said that bodies have molecules 

 and elements; and we also learn something new, such as 

 simple part which are compounded, and compounds of com- 

 posed parts ; but there is not a word of integral molecule. 



To me, indeed, it appears rather censuring than excusing 

 M. Werner, to say that the discovery of the integral mole- 

 cule is due to this philosopher. If he had perceived its ex- 

 istence, why has he abandoned it ? why did he leave a field 

 so fertile in brilliant discoveries to be cultivated by any 

 other than himself? But these questions are superfluous, 

 as we have seen that the learned mineralogist (or, if he will, 

 oryctognost) of Frevberg had no knowledge of the integral 

 molecule before M, Haiiy. Judging, indeed, from the ob- 

 servations which I have heard him make more recently on 

 this subject, it does not appear that he has yet sufficiently 

 studied the matter to comprehend it perfectly even at the 

 present day. 



[To be continued.] 



characters, but merely to digest, arrange, ormethodize those characters, so that 

 various chemists migkt easily discover .whether it was identically the same 

 piineral which they analysed, and that they might have less trouble and be 

 more accurate in their descriptions of the subjects cither produced or ope- 

 rated on. In his preface, indeed, he observes explicitly, " It will be seen 

 that I have taken care that no one should make ut>t of these external characters 

 1» rsfjikl.tsh a si/s!r»iatic division of minerals, as has been hitherto done ; but 

 solely to determine the idea of their exterior appearance, and fix the method 

 of descrii'iufr them." Had he still adhered to this judicious and necessary 

 plan, he would have contributed very materially to facilitate the progress 

 of mineralogicai science; but the vanitv of making worlds, forming mo\m- 

 tains, transitions, primitive rocks, and finally deciding on the effects of water 

 and the construction of the whole crust of the earth, has propagated the 

 propensity for *' those wonstr<inties known under the name of theories of the 

 (P'h" which flarrer the imagination, but retard the progress of reason and 

 rue science. — 1 ran a. 



2 D 4 LXXVII. Me- 



