35 



rangement and a nomenclature, he is diverted 

 from those general relations which are of a more 

 important nature. The effect is even worse ; since 

 he is tempted to imagine wide analogies where 

 minute resemblance alone exist, and thus learns 

 to regulate the structure of his globe by the 

 af&nities which he finds in his cabinet of spe- 

 cimens. 



To render a geological system of arrange- 

 ment complete, its advocates should be allowed 

 the privilege which has been claimed by those 

 who follow the opposite method ; namely, that of 

 framing and multiplying terms according to the 

 wants of their system. There should, in fact, be 

 no existing nomenclature, but a new one should 

 be formed and adapted to this purpose. 



The existing nomenclature does, in reality, 

 produce many of the defects which appear, on a 

 superficial view, to be the result of the arrange^ 

 ment. It has arisen gradually, in a period of ig- 

 norance, and during the increase of knowledge. 

 Rocks have been named from their structure, 

 from their composition, and from their geological 



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