340 THEORY OF THE SYSTEM. . 229. 



corresponds. In respect to the whole of the species, the in- 

 dividual is called a variety. 



It must here be observed, that none of these ideas have 

 been obtained, or deduced from the others by means of 

 a division. For, in order to arrive at them, we have not 

 begun with the highest, but with the lowest one, which 

 is that of the individual, and then we have first deter- 

 mined the idea of the species according to the idea of ho- 

 mogeneity, those of the genus, the order, &c. according to 

 different degrees of natural-historical resemblance ; and 

 the whole of them by aggregation or assemblage. Be- 

 sides the idea of the species, a division would have pre- 

 supposed also that of the Mineral Kingdom, and it would 

 have required a principle, according to which it might 

 have been effected with consistency. In another place 

 it will appear, that these conditions in fact may be ful- 

 filled; yet, by such a division, it would not have been 

 possible to obtain the same classes, orders, and genera, 

 which have been obtained by the other process ; and the 

 degrees of classification thus obtained, would not have 

 been suitable to the purpose of giving a general view of 

 inorganic nature, in agreement with the similarity which 

 exists among its productions ; and this nevertheless is the 

 last and highest aim of Natural History. Mcthodus Na- 

 turatts ultimus finis Botanices est et erit. LINX. Phil. Bot. 206. 



. 229. MINERAL SYSTEM. 



The Mineral System is the collection of the na- 

 tural-historical ideas, conformably to the degree of 

 their generality, and applied to the productions of 

 the Mineral Kingdom. 



The mineral system is a representation of the Mineral 

 Kingdom by means of general ideas. These ideas must be 

 clear, precise, complete, and correctly subordinate to one 

 another, so as to become consistent with each other, and 

 applicable to experience. 



