620 CROSS, IDDINGS, PIRSSON, WASHINGTON 



have so far been scarcely recognized, and this great defect in 

 present nomenclature is one cause of much of the prevalent out- 

 cry against the multiplication of rock names. 



To indicate the relative place of the various divisions in the 

 system, from Class to. Subgrad, we have adopted a set of termi- 

 nations which are to be used invariably with their respective 

 divisions. We have endeavored to select those which are at the 

 same time: mnemonic in suggesting the relative positions of the 

 divisions ; euphonious ; not in previous use to any great extent ; 

 and as far as possible adapted to use in all European languages. 

 The termination -ite is rejected because it is already in use, not 

 only in petrography but in mineralogy, to which latter science, 

 as having a prior claim, we suggest that it be restricted. The 

 terminations proposed are as follows : 



Class, -ane. Subclass. -one. 



Suborder, -ore. 



Subrang, -ose. 



Subgrad, -ote. 



These terminations were selected after trial of many that were 

 suggested. The distinctive consonants, n, r, s, t, are in their 

 alphabetical order, suggesting the sequence of the taxonomic 

 divisions to which they refer. The vowels, a and o, were con- 

 sidered best to indicate the distinctions between each principal 

 division and its subdivisions. And the final e is added in 

 English to lengthen the sound of these vowels, but it may be 

 omitted when the words are used in other languages. 



The name of a magma belonging to a Section of any given 

 division will receive the termination of that particular division 

 preceded by the letter i, since it occupies the same relative posi- 

 tion in the scheme as the division in question, although of some- 

 what different taxonomic character. 



Root. — In choosing the root of the name two methods are 

 available. This part may be a syllable or syllables derived from 

 local or personal names or chosen arbitrarily, giving only by con- 

 notation an idea of the character of the group named ; or it 

 may be composed of syllables which will of themselves, by 



