172 MINERALOGY. 



The herds that graze, the flocks that nip the plain. 

 And scaly natives of the watery reign. 



These hold ten thousand wonders to the sight, 

 Which prompt inquiry and inspire delight ; 

 Relations — properties — proportions — ends — 

 Burst into light as her research extends ; 

 Until unnumbered sparks around him fall 

 From the Great Source of Light, and Life, and All! 



Dr. L. Brown. 



Questions — 1. How are tlie productions of nature divided? 2. 

 What is said of tlie organization of animals ? 3. Of vegetables ? 4. 

 What are fossils or minerals ? 5. What do we know of the vital 

 principle ? 



LESSON 76. 



3Iinc7'alogy. 



An'alyze, to resolve a compound into its constituent parts, for 

 the purpose of examination. Phys'ical, natural, relating to na- 

 ture. 



All the solid materials of which this globe of ours is 

 composed have received the name of Minerals ; and the sci- 

 ence which makes us acquainted with the relations under 

 which they present themselves to us, is distinguished by the 

 title Mineralogy. These substances, without doubt, must 

 have at all times attracted the attention of mankind ; be- 

 cause from them alone are drawn the metals, stones, and 

 other similar substances of indispensable use. But it is 

 only very lately that the method of ascertaining the compo- 

 nent parts of these substances was discovered, or that it was 

 possible to describe them so as to be intelligible to others. 

 From the ancients no information of any consequence on 

 these topics is to be expected. The whole science of mine- 

 ralogy has been created since the year 1770, and is at pre- 

 sent advancing towards perfection with astonishing rapidity. 

 New minerals are every day described and analyzed, collec- 

 tions are every where forming, and travels of discovery are 

 succeeding each other without intermission. The fruit of 

 these labours has been the discovery "of several new earths 



