28 



On JVomenclature. 



ON NOMENCLATURE. 



We are glad when French naturalists attack the false nom- 

 enclatures that spring up on this side the Atlantic. This has 

 been done in the March number, for 1829, of the Bulletin des 

 Sciences Naturelles et de Geologic. No doubt they have had 

 some reason to amuse themselves at our expense ; we are not 

 the less afraid on that account, of their giving us credit for some 

 sober views of Natural Science. With few exceptions, the 

 naturahsts of this country appear decidedly opposed to conjec- 

 tural and fantastical speculations, and are averse to seeing 

 science trifled with, in any quarter whatever. But they cannot 

 shut their eyes to the innovations of some of the more conspicuous 

 * French writers. It is admitted that natural history is under the 

 deepest obligations to the labours and genius of Cuvier. Every 

 man in France, however, does not possess the sound judgment of 

 that great naturalist. Science is occasionally tricked out in that 

 quarter, with a frippery that disguises it. 



The invention of the terms ophiolite, euphotide, phyllade, &c. 

 &c. as substitutes for serpentine, saussurite, slate, &c. &c. is 

 likely to be a failure, as far as it concerns us on this side of the 

 Atlantic. We venture to predict as much for the extraordinary 

 nomenclature proposed in the article " Theorie" in the 54th Vol. 

 of the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles : an article replete 

 with geological learning and acumen, but so endimanche, that 

 we are really ashamed to go into such company with hammers 

 and chissels about us. In this article, all geological phenomena 

 are divided into two periods. The Saturnian, comprehending 

 every thing that occurred before the last revolution, {???) and the 

 Jovian, comprehending what has occurred since. The superficial 

 soil, or deposits of diluvium, as we have been in the habit of call- 

 ing them, we are now asked to call " Terrains Clysmiens.^^ The 

 upper fresh water, " Terrains Epilymniques.^^ The upper marine 

 " Terrains Proteiques,^^ The London clay " Terrains Tritoniens.''^ 

 The gravel beds of the plastic clay " Terrains Clasiiques." The 



chalk " Pelagique Cr-etaces." 



The old Saxon weald clay is to be again subdued by the Nor- 

 man French, and to be called " Mans argile veldie?ine.^^ Kimmer- 

 idge clay is christened over again, and is called ''^mariie argileuse 

 havrienne there being a handful of it at Havre, and a world of it 



