150 J.D. Dana on System in Mineralogical Nomenclature. 
ous mineral species which till then had only chemical names, he 
adopted Haiiy’s method of miscellaneous terminations, but in- 
dulged in it with less taste and judgment, and with little knowl- 
edge of the rules of etymology. In his work we find the termin- 
ation ese, in Apherese, Aphanese, Neoctese, Acerdese, Mimetese; 
ise, in Leberkise, Sperkise, Harkise, (only German words Galli- 
cized,) Melaconise, Zinconise, Crocoise, Stibiconise, Uraconise; 
ose, in Argyrose, Argyrythrose, Psaturose, Aphthalose, Rhoda- 
and thus have made the intolerable names above which end in ose 
and ese, and in part in ise (as Siderose from otdngos, Aphanese from ° 
dgaviic, Melaconise from uéthas, black, and dvs, powder); ‘and with 
more of the spirit of system, he would have rejected entirely the 
plan of miscellaneous terminations. : 
n Germany, the tendency has always been to uniformity » 
through the adoption of the termination ite. Breithaupt has beet 
somewhat lawless, giving the science his Plinian, Alumian, Sar- 
dinian, Asbolan, etc.; his Castor and Pollux (no doubt regarded 
as a good joke, though in our view a joke out of place); his Glaw- 
codot, Homichlin, Orthoclase, Loxoclase, Xanthocon, etc.; stil 
far the larger part of his numerous names are rightly terminated. 
the following conclusions :— : 
1. The only chance for uniformity in mineralogical nomet- , 
clature is in the general use of the termination it. 
2. This termination is the best that is available, because of 
(1) its original use and signification, (2) its early origin,- (3) 18 
almost universal adoption in the science. 
3. If any other termination in addition is to be used, it should 
be so only under system ; that is, it should be made characteristic ao 
of a particular natural group of species, and be invariably ete 
ployed for the names in that group; and its use should notbe 
a matter of choice or whim with describers of species 
In view of the above and other considerations, we arrive at 
a 
Asa of fact, 
ticular division of minerals, or with reference to any systems 
pe it could not now be so restricted; and, this being the case, It 
4, In order that the acquired uniformity may be attained, . 
changes should be made in existing names, when it can be done 
