26 Derivations of Mineral Names. 
In addition to the features which have been touched upon above, 
as affording especially noticeable suggestions for the construction of 
mineral names, there are a few others of sufficient prominence to 
command attention. 
MODE OF OCCURRENCE is often associated with the genesis of the 
substance; hence of importance. Limnite, der. Gr. deyvy, marsh,, 
alludes to the origin and formation of bog-ore. Alunogen, a curious 
cross between Fr. alun, alum, and Gr. yevvaw, I produce, refers to 
the generation of the mineral from decomposing Pyrite. 
RESEMBLANCE to other species may provoke errors of identifica- 
tion, and gives rise to names like Apatite, der. Gr. dzaraw, I 
deceive, on account of its resemblance to Aquamarine. 
CoMPARISON with allied compounds is expressed in names like 
Miargyrite, contr. Gr. peewy, less, and dpyupos, silver, whereby 
the fact is indicated that this mineral carries less silver than other 
closely related species. 
Mimicry of natural objects is readily perceived and made the 
basis for a name. Thus, Ophite, der. Gr. dgery¢, snake, is applied 
to some varieties of Serpentine (snake-stone) because of snake-like 
markings. Botryogen, contr. Gr. forcvs, a bunch of grapes, and 
yevvaw, I produce, explains itself. 
DECEPTION is recognized in minerals whose occurrence or genesis 
would lead to the inference of a different composition than they 
possess in reality. Sphalerite, der. Gr. @gaiepos, treacherous, was 
so named because it carried very little silver, though generally 
associated with argentiferous ores. 
THE USEs to which a mineral may be put also furnish hints for 
its name. Agalmatolite, contr. Gr. dyahua, picture, and edtoc, 
stone, is the material utilized by the Chinese in carving out 
numerous small objects. 
A rather pathetic appeal reaches us through the name of one of 
Breithaupt’s species: Monacite, der. Gr. povafw, I am alone. It is 
of very rare occurrence. 
Apart from the mineral names which have been formed for the 
purpose of expressing a definite idea, there are some which are of 
interest on account of their origin, their philological relations, or 
their application ; others claim attention by virtue of the mutations 
they have undergone, or by their associations. 
