. 229. THEORY OF THE SYSTEM. 845 



of the Linnean system; but there exists no system, 

 by the assistance of which we might determine an un- 

 known mineral. In order to find the class, we must ana- 

 lyse the mineral ; and by this analysis, the mineral is de- 

 stroyed : nothing remains to determine the order, the ge- 

 nus, and the species. The difficulty is not removed by as- 

 serting that only a small portion of the whole is to be taken 

 for the examination ; because here, our object is not to de- 

 termine a mineral in a particular case, but to fix the gene- 

 ral and scientific method of determination. Thus, in the 

 systems noticed, we must immediately proceed to the 

 species, for there is no methodical way to arrive at it 

 through the intermediate degrees of the class, the order, 

 and the genus. In short, we must content ourselves with 

 acquiring an empirical knowledge of minerals, how small 

 soever the scientific value of this knowledge may be, be- 

 cause indeed it is better to know the natural productions in 

 this way, than not to know them at all. It is evident that 

 a description can be of no use for this purpose ; and thus it 

 appears, that systems of the kind mentioned above do not 

 possess either of the two necessary requisites. How far 

 the determination of occurring individuals is facilitated by 

 the natural-historical system, will be examined in another 

 part of the present Treatise. 



