PREFACE. Vll 



of Classification, Nomenclature, Characteristic and Physi- 

 ography. The study of these branches of Mineralogy is 

 indispensable to the student who would comprehend the 

 true philosophy of the science. And certainly, no mind 

 possessed of a laudable spirit of inquiry can be willing to 

 rest in the mere practice of Mineralogy; it will desire to 

 understand the nature of those general ideas which facil- 

 itate this art, as well as those which are otherwise involved 

 in the pursuit. 



In the treatment of Crystallography, the author has fol- 

 lowed the elementary treatise of BROOKE before alluded to, 

 whose system of primitive forms and method of illustra- 

 ting their modifications, he has adopted with very little al- 

 teration; having experienced in his own case and witnessed 

 in others, how well suited they are both to the determina- 

 tive and descriptive parts of Mineralogy. He has also 

 drawn largely from the excellent article on crystallization, 

 in the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles, written by 

 A. J. M. BROCHANT DE VILLIERS. 



It will be seen, then, that the present treatise aims es- 

 pecially to aid persons who would acquire a knowledge of 

 Mineralogy independently of personal instruction, and the 

 advantages of a completely arranged cabinet. It even 

 adapts itself to the wants of those who are unacquainted 

 with the first rudiments of Geometry ; nor does it require 

 any, the least, knowledge of Chemistry, in order to its be- 

 ing perfectly comprehended in all its parts. 



It requires to be observed, however, that the department 

 of Physiography is not embraced in the present volume. 

 Those who make use of it therefore, will have occasion to 

 consult some other treatise for full descriptions of the spe- 

 cies, and the various collateral information usually found in 



