Reflections on some Mineralogical Systems. 4} 
give a false idea of the mineral. Smoked topaz [quartz 
Ayalin enfumé of Brogniart] transgresses in this point of 
View, since it is not a topaz. 
3. Correct or accurate with respect to language, when, on 
being written or spoken, it is not inimical to the genius of 
the lanzuage. In this rule there are eight subdivisions. 
a. When the name of a species is’ composed of a sab- 
stantive and an adjective, the latter should be indeclinable. 
(Examples are cited in the German.) 
b. Wten a name is composed of two words, that which 
gives the general idea should be first, and that which limits 
this idea, the last. (Examples of this rule are also given in 
German.) 
c. When a name is composed of two, three, or four 
words, we should separate and unite them as the nature of 
the thing may require. Thus, grau-spies-glaserz, a mine 
of gray vitreous antimony. . : 
d. All the names of species, whether simple or com- 
pound, should be written with an initial capital latter, as 
Grau-spies-glaserz. The varieties ought not to commence 
with a capital letter, but when their name differs from that 
of the species, as Amethyst, Prase. If there be an adjective 
to designate the variety, It ought to commence with a small 
letter ; thus, dichtes-Grau-spies-glaserz. 
e. The names ought to be taken from one language only, 
as chrysolithe. 
Jf. We ought not to translate names taken from other 
languages*. We should not say gold-stone instead of 
chrysolithe. 
g. We should write and pronounce the words according 
to their true signification and etymology. The name of a 
species is rothgultigerz ; it is improper to say, rothgulden, 
rithguldenerz, rothguldigeserz. (When aman is named 
Fierre (Peter), he ought not to be called James, nor eyen 
Pierrot). 
h. In forming new names, it is necessary to consult ana- 
logy. Thus, sedative spar, phosphoric spar, are bad names, 
because the name of spar is properly applied to earthy sub - 
stances, and not to salts. (It has here keen forgotten that 
% This rule would be very p-oper if all the new names of minerals were de- 
rived from the Greek, as has been done by Haiiy ; but if the Germans suppose 
that the French, Italians, Spanish and English should adopt their barbarous 
combinations of letters to designate minerals, they only betray their vanity 
at the expense of their common sense, This was too much even for Mr. 
Jameson ; and his fate will perhaps be a warning to others, never again to 
attempt to sacrifice both classical and vernacular language on the altar of 
German gothiciem.—TRans, t ; 
the 
