302 MINEIIALOGT. 



MIMEMAJLOGY. 



J^llLlNERALS are the last class, and compose the lowest 

 link in the chain of organized bodies, they are divisible into 

 Earths, Alkalies, the two bases of combustion. Sulphur, 

 and Carbon, and Metals, the various combinations of 

 which form that Tarietjr so abundantly produced in this 

 department of Natural History. On the first view of 

 this science, it would seem one of the least attractive, but a 

 closer inspection soon discovers it to be of the highest impor- 

 tance, and that from the fairest Diamond or most brilliant 

 Ruby, down to the commonest Sand or Gravel of our foot- 

 paths, all merit our closest attention ; as they individually 

 contribute to our conveniences ; some conduce largely to our 

 domestic comforts and commercial advantages in the form of 

 Fuel, as the various kinds of Coal ; others are useable for 

 Medicinal purposes, as Sulphur, Arsenic, Mercury, &c. ; of 

 the Metals, Man has availed himself, a-nd with these, aided 

 by the assistance of fire, is enabled to reduce the other parts 

 of the Creation to his use and purposes. 



It would be foreign to our plan, to enter at large into 

 this highly useful Science, we shall therefore only slightly 



