MINERALOGY, 323 



those of general occurence, as by knowing what rocks or 

 stones are common to any place, a pretty correct idea may 

 be formed of tke other minerals common to the same place ; 

 pieces of from four to six inches square, will be sufficient 

 for experiments; these should be broken off, as such 

 have considerable advantage over any that may be found 

 lying on the shore, or on the ground, exposed to tha 

 action of the air, sun and weather, besides which the frac- 

 ture will considerably assist in determining its situation in 

 the system. 



Collectors should not confine themselves to the procuring 

 rare or beautiful Minerals, as frequently those of more in- 

 trinsic value, as Coal, Iron, Copper, &c., are found of very 

 rough unsightly exterior, but every kind should be procu- 

 red in as natural a state as possible ; with the various pro- 

 cesses they are submitted to, in rendering them applicable 

 to the uses of the Inhabitants of the countries they are 

 found in ; how they are rendered pure, and what methods 

 are pursued in separating the Metals from their Ores, their 

 modes of flatting or of drawing the Metals into wire, as 

 also the proportions used in alloying either for coinage, or 

 in the manufacture of articles for domestic or mechanical 

 purposes ; likewise the various agents that are chemically 

 employed for reducing Mineral substances, should be ascer- 

 tained. In procuring Metals or Ores, they should each be 

 kept distinct, and care taken that no substance containing 

 Acids of any kind be permitted to come in contact with 

 them. 



Mineral substances containing Acids, or Salts, should be 

 packed in jars or bottles closely stopped, as the air will 



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