332 Analysis of Scieutijic Books. 



To this general analysis, and the copious extracts which we 

 have given of the work before us, it is unnecessary to add much 

 more ; the latter prove our opinion of its merits, for we should 

 not have thought it necessary to lay so much of its con- 

 tents before our readers, were we not desirous by the specimens 

 we have furnished to induce them to form a more intimate ac- 

 quaintance with the work itself, and we have no hesitation in 

 assuring them that they will be amply rewarded for their trou- 

 ble. The part we like least is the mineralogical arrangement 

 adopted by the author, the continual recurrence of his abomi- 

 nable formulae, and his whimsical speculations on isomorphous 

 bases, which have led him into some tedious and unprofitable 

 details on the subject of the amphiboles, pyroxenes and garnets. 

 Mr. Children has, very properly in our estimation, wholly omit- 

 ted the formulae, translating them into plain English in notes at 

 the bottom of the page ; we wish he had exerted the same 

 discretionary judgment with respect to the isomorphisms, and 

 left them out likewise. It remains to say a few words respect- 

 ing the translation. 



In the first place, with respect to its fidelity, we have been 

 at the pains of carefully comparing it with the original, and 

 have found it at once clear and correct. The original is 

 closely adhered to, except in a few instances of trifling omis- 

 sions, and others of judicious curtailments to which we have 

 above adverted, which it is unnecessary to particularize, as the 

 translator has fully explained his reasons for them in his pre- 

 face. We wish that it were more common, for gentlemen of 

 Mr. Children's rank and attainments in science, to favour the 

 world with similar productions, for there are few means better 

 calculated for the promotion of natural knowledge, than trans- 

 lations of the works of learned foreigners, accompanied with 

 notes and illustrations by those who are equally acquainted with 

 the subjects of which they treat, and with their authors ; and 

 who will condescend to add their stock of information to that 

 which has been collected by others. 



We scarcely regretted, though (considering the quarter whence 

 it originated) we were somewhat surprised, at the mistake of the 

 rule of two, or the having overlooked the instances where the au- 

 thor,ybr theoretical reasons, has doubled the atomic numbers. It 

 is an admirable illustration of the danger which we have so often 

 pointed out, of the system of halving and doubling ad libitum. 

 The error, as Mr. Children observes, (for it was discovered in 

 time to be corrected in a note, though not in the text,) is wholly 

 and absolutely unimportant to the main object of the work ; and 

 we cordially agree with him, that " though it certainly is no 

 excuse for his fault, it is one proof amongst a thousand of the 

 danger of involving plain matter of fact in unnecessary hypo- 

 thetical dogmas." 



