22 TERMINOLOGY. . 22. 23. 



crystallisation. In respect to Natural History, they must 

 be classed with those which are decomposed. Minerals im- 

 perfectly formed, may be compared to animals or plants 

 mutilated, defective, monstrous ; while those that are decom- 

 posed, having ceased to retain their original state, may be 

 compared to the animal or the plant which has ceased to 

 live. They may elucidate facts, both in Zoology and Bo- 

 tany, though in that state they are not in themselves ob- 

 jects of inquiry in Natural History. 1^ is therefore per- 

 fectly evident, that the distinction introduced by some 

 naturalists among minerals, into crystallised, crystalline, 

 and amorphous, depends upon accidental circumstances in 

 the formation of these bodies ; and, therefore, is not essen- 

 tial. 



. 22. SIMPLE MINERAL. 



A mineral consisting of one single individual, or 

 forming a part thereof, is termed a Simple Mineral. 



This is the idea of a simple mineral in Natural History. 

 The simple mineral must be distinguished from what is 

 called simple in Chemistry ; and, likewise, from what Mi- 

 neralogists commonly call simple. The last frequently 

 consists of several individuals, and is therefore not simple 

 in the sense of Natural History. Examples of simple mi- 

 nerals are crystals and grains of dodecahedral Garnet, or 

 of octahedral Diamond. The particles of which granular 

 Limestone is composed, are each simple minerals belong- 

 ing to the species of rhombohedral Lime-haloide ; while 

 those of Coccolite are also simple minerals, belonging to 

 the species of paratomous Augite-spar, &c. 



. 23. COMPOUND MINERAL. 



A mineral consisting of more than one indivi- 

 dual of the same quality, * is termed a Compound 

 Mineral. 



* The term Homogeneous individuals would be more 



