80 J.D. Dana’s Mineralogical Contributions. 
on color ; sizth, on other physical characters ; seventh, on chemical 
composition and reactions; eighth, names derived from other pe- 
culiarities, uses, arbitrary or fanciful allusions; ninth, those of 
bell lays down several rules for nomenclature in mineral 
requiring that names derived from names of persons or localities 
should be written according to their original orthography, and not 
altered for each different language; that the Greek language 
should be used, rarely the Latin, for the derivation of other names; 
that the earliest name of a species should be retained, only when 
correctly formed in accordance with these princi les: and he 
gives a list of some names that have been more or less recently 
proposed as — for earlier eects pets names, the gene 
ral adoption of which he observes would tend to make minetra- 
logical sas os the same the ohh over. meen greater part of 
these names are already accepted in the scie 
It may be doubted whether, by carrying aaa with full strict 
ness, his laws, we may not in some cases, create more confusion 
than we avoid, especially in the case of species well known in 
the arts. For example in substituting, as is proposed, Liparile 
(Glocker) for Fluor or Fluor spar (Fluss or gamit of the 
Germans), we are giving a new word to science, without special 
of the arts and science. As mineralogy is but a semi-science, 
and its nomenclature but a convenient means of designation with- 
out a proper scientific basis, we should hesitate before adopting 
new names in cases like the above. Print it Liparite and st 
the mineral will be called fluor. 
lende or Zincblende is another case of this kind. We cal- 
not consider Glocker’s Sphalerite a needed substitute for the old 
name. Hematite is an unfortunate substitute for specular iron, 48 
it is restricting to narrow limits an old name of wider significa 
tion; and in this country, it is the most common designation 0 
the species limonite. It is however coming into common use if 
Europe and Great Britain. Arsenite for arsenous acid, and Chro 
mite for chromic iron, are objectionable names, as ae termination 
is a chemical one for a section of salts. Galette not an if 
Na rey on Galena, as the word is as epeibelate without 
the “ tte 
Horn silver (Hornsilber of the German : although two words 
and obnoxious to the criticism of not being Greek, is significant 
and contains fewer syllables and letters than Kerargyrite, —or Ce 
rargyrite as the word should be written with us. For Silver 
glance, early called Argyrose by Beudant, Haidinger’s name 
Argentite is adopted by von Kobell. Clay is dignified with the 
name of Argillite. Azuriteof Beudant (Blue Malachite, Kup- 
