39 



tained, is a defect that will claim the indulgence 

 which it need not solicit. 



In a strict sense therefore, the present ar- 

 rangement must rather be considered as an at- 

 tempt to produce a brief and useful description, 

 than an accurate and logical classification of rocks. 

 Full of imperfections as it confessedly is in this 

 sense, it must be tried by the test of utility ; and 

 it will meet with indulgence if, in its application 

 to practice, it affords any counterpoise to the nu- 

 merous defects already stated ; of which, some are 

 inseparably connected with the general ignorance 

 of these matters that yet prevails, others with that 

 of the author ; but of which the far greater por- 

 tion seems to be necessarily inherent in the subject 

 itself. 



