256 HISTORY OF MINERALOGY. 



Sect, 2. Mixed Systems of Classification. 



Early Systems. The first attempts at classifying 

 minerals went upon the ground of those differences 

 of general aspect which had been recognized in the 

 formation of common language, as earths, stones, 

 metals. But such arrangements were manifestly 

 vague and confused ; and when chemistry had ad- 

 vanced to power and honour, her aid was naturally 

 called in to introduce a better order. " Hiarne and 

 Bromell were, as far as I know," says Cronstedt, 

 "the first who founded any mineral system upon 

 chemical principles; to them we owe the three 

 known divisions of the most simple mineral bodies ; 

 viz. the calcarei, vitrescentes, and apyri." But Cron- 

 stedt's own Essay towards a System of Mineralogy, 

 published in Swedish in 1758, had perhaps more 

 influence than any other, upon succeeding systems. 

 In this, the distinction of earths and stones, and 

 also of vitrescent and non-vitrescent earths (apyri], 

 is rejected. The earths are classed as calcareous, 

 siliceous, argillaceous, and the like. Again, calca- 

 reous earth is pure, (calc spar], or united with acid 

 of vitriol (gypsum), or united with the muriatic acid 

 (sal ammoniac}, and the like. It is easy to see that 

 this is the method, which, in its general principle, 

 has been continued to our own time. In such 

 methods, it is supposed that we can recognize the 

 substance by its general appearance, and on this 



2 Mineralogy, Prcf. p. viii. 



