WKRNEUIAN SYSTEM. 
149 
ralogy, as “ that most splendid specimen of investigation, the 
most perfect in its kind ever presented to the world*.” 
Hut, though the labours of tlie author of the system h.ive Distinction; 
just'y given celebrity to his name, their value is certainly not hu*|*rfof'\Vcr 
such as to entitle him to this elevated praise. The credit un- <'cr entitle 
doubiedlv belongs to Werner of having given a new character cei" britvf** 
to the language of mineralogy, though hi> work on the exter- tl'u'un ins 
^ ° ^ s(» ciilatiolis 
nal chara ters of minerals, is by no means eipial to the Philo- i,iv scLIom 
Sophia Botanica of l.iniixus, with which it has been injudi- 
cionsly compared 5 he has also much enlarged our knowledge 
of the simple minerals, and has formed a valuable foundation 
for the scientific history of rocks : but his speculations are 
seldom successful ; in some instances they are almost extrava- 
gant — and his System of Geognosy can, at the best, be consi- 
dered but as a temporary magazine of knowledge, hereafter 
to be employed in the formation of a more philosophic struc- 
ture. 
The following p.iges will contain a statement, ]. Of <he j„ uj^. 
facts developed by Werner’s examination of the earth; and 
facts amt thc- 
:2, Of his theory of the formation and disposition of rocks ; ory 01 U erner 
and finally, some brief remarks upon the classification and "I*! **‘’ *'’**!’**’ 
^ ' with remarks. 
Janguage which be has adopted or devised. 
" At first sight,” to use the words of Mr. Jameson, “ the Tliongb the 
'Solid mass of the earth appears to be a confused assemblage 
° tlie earth 
rrocky masses, piled on each other without order or regularity J seems, at first 
‘Where none of those admirable displays of skill and contrivance 
swhich, in the structure of animals and vegetables, so power- 
sight, without 
order, 
ifully excite our attention, and claim our admiration, are to be 
observed.” But a more attentive examination soon discovers, examination 
that the uniformity in the workmanship of nature, of which *bews, that 
tliecharaetcrs, 
'•we have an instance in the character and composition of. the compoMtion, 
mineral species collected in the most distant quarters of aPonr^o/mi 
.globe, extends not only to the combinations of those sub- nerat masses, 
'Stances in rocks, but also to the structure and relative position t,'|e *n!ost*'dis- 
' of the masses ih which these combinations are assembled ; a regions. 
* Introd. p. xxii. 
fact 
