344 THEORY OF THE SYSTEM. . 



I shall not at present venture to examine, whether a na- 

 tural-historical system, partly analytical and partly synthe- 

 tical, like the Linnean system in Botany, might not unite 

 the advantages of both, whilst it avoids their inconveni- 

 ences. A system of this kind would be less objectionable 

 indeed, and more useful than those founded at the same 

 time upon two different principles ; but it could not unite 

 those properties which the synthetical system presents, if 

 it only approaches perfection to a certain degree. 



The double purpose for which the systematic ideas 

 (. 22C.) have been produced, likewise will require our at- 

 tention in constructing a mineral system. The first de- 

 mands a general view of the variety of nature, collected 

 within different unities ; the other requires a method of 

 recognising individuals occurring in nature, or of assigning 

 to them their peculiar place in the system, and of provid- 

 ing them with the names and denominations connected 

 with these places. 



It seems, that attention has been paid only to the 

 first of these purposes in several of the systems hitherto 

 constructed. The natural-historical system of the present 

 work perfectly answers this requisite. It represents na- 

 ture according to the different degrees of resemblance 

 which, notwithstanding all their variety, exist among its 

 productions. Several mineral systems do not represent the 

 relations among the bodies or natural productions them- 

 selves ; but among the results of their chemical analyses, 

 which are not objects of Natural History. 



A mineral system may be found to suffice as to the first 

 requisite, without answering the second ; it may facilitate 

 the general survey of the productions of the Mineral King- 

 dom, without assisting in the determination of individuals. 

 On the contrary, it may answer to the second, without ful- 

 filling the first ; it may assist in the determination, with- 

 out producing a general view ; and this is the case in ana- 

 lytic systems. 



If we examine the systems hitherto published in respect 

 to the second point, we find ourselves completely dissatis- 

 fied. An unknown plant may be determined by the help 



