THE 



Canadian Record of Science, 



MONTREAL. / "*' s/ 



LIBRARY- 



2* sender; 



VOLUME I NUMli^|^-r^^* 



I. The Classification of Natural Silicates. * 

 (Abstract.) 

 By T. Sterry Hunt. 



The author in this paper reviewed the history of mineralogy, 

 and noticed the method of classification of mineral species abased 

 solely on physical characters, which makes mineralogy a division 

 of natural history. He then proceeded to consider the method 

 of those who have arranged mineral species in accordance with the 

 results of chemical analysis, while disregarding or giving a sub- 

 ordinate place to physical characters. A true philosophy, it was 

 contended, should keep in view both of these methods: the chemi- 

 cal cannot be separated from the physical study of species, and a 

 thorough knowledge of the chemical constitution of these will show 

 that their physical characters are intimately related thereto, and 

 will lead to a natural system in mineralogy. 



The author in attempting the elaboration of such a system, the 

 importance of which is evident, begins by showing in the present 

 paper its application to natural silicates. These he regards as 

 polysilicates of high equivalent weight, in accordance with the view 



* The paper of which this is an abstract was presented to the National 

 Academy of Sciences at Washington, April 23, and to the Royal Society 

 of Canada at Ottawa, May 27, 1885. It will be published at length 

 in the Transactions of the last named Society for 1885. 



