WERNERIAN SYSTEM. 
227 
jf distinction between tbe transition and Flcetz-rocks, only tlieir 
jeneral relations of position and structure ; and by neither 
loes It appear, that any well-marked boundary can be traced 
xitween them j at least if such distinctions do exist, they have 
lot yet been pointed out explicitly ; whilst, on the other hand, 
he newest FIcetz-trap rocks are both in their characters and 
lupposed mode of formation, perfectly distinguished, and 
)ught, on Werner’s own principles, to have been detached from 
■ he preceding part of the arrangement. 
I’o the names of the classes and the descriptive terms intro- Werner's de- 
Juced by Werner, it may justly be objected, that many of them are « b^eVn mi- 
tre founded upon theory, expressing, conscquentlv, not facts, tu cause 
jut opinions ; not the appearances of nature, but the snppo- e\(irtss opi- 
iitions bv which he endeavours to explain them. Of the five I?'"”' 
' lact.-i. 
:lasscs the denominations of three are of this description — 
brhmlive, transilion, and alluvial j and the terms neu’ and o/d, 
with those ni first and second, so far as they refer to time, 
which contribute to the denominations of several important 
divisions of rocks, are constantly employed in describing 
them, come likewise under this objection, though they may 
appear, at lirst view, merely expressions of fact. The term 
formation, also, is evidently theoretic, alluding, not very defi- 
nitely, to the supposed progress of nature in the deposition of 
rocks, and strictly founded on assumption j for it is evident, 
that the successive substances in any of the compound, or 
even of the simple formations, though now in contact, may 
have been deposited at distant periods of time. In describing 
natural bodies, all that can, with safety, be referred to, are the 
appearances or properties which they present ; and these, in 
the present instance, ought to have been conveyed by terms 
such as group or series, expressing only the fact of justa-posi- 
tion. 
Even where theory is much more free from error than the wlio- 
most sanguine admirers of Werner can assert his speculations the -alsnsuage 
fniinded on 
now to be, the propriety of connecting with it a system ot Ian- theory can be 
guage is very doubtful. The rapid progress of modern che- 
mistry has been supposed to prove the advantages of names 
derived 
