230 
WERNERIAN SYSTEM. 
Anangenient 
and language, 
Tlic Werne- 
rian system 
cxliibits a 
most valuable 
mass of facts, 
with little of 
philosuphical 
connection or 
explanation. 
It places him 
very high 
among the 
cultivators of 
science j 
are probably the most unhappy ; Mr. Jameson having found 
it necessary to defend himself for having, in strict conformity 
with his master, called a compound green stone, which is actu- 
ally red* j (the more unfortunately as the red colour of the 
felspar is stated to be one of the distinctive characters of sienite 
from green stonef ;) and it would be easy to point out similar 
instances of incongruity. 
The limits to which an essay of this nature is confined, pre- 
vent the pursuing into further detail that part of the subject 
which relates to arrangement and language, the present object 
having been, chiefly, to state the leading features of the struc- 
ture of the globe according to Werner, and the principles 
which have guided the fabrication of his theory. A compa- 
rison of his nomenclature and arrangement with the rules 
given by Linnaeus in the department of the Philosophia Bota- 
nica, which apply, with equal propriety, to every branch of 
natural history, will readily suggest further observations. 
To conclude,' — the Wernerian system of geognosy is, per- 
haps, truly to be regarded as an elaborate and valuable accumu- 
lation of facts, brought together without much philosophical 
connection, and attempted to be explained by hypotheses very 
feebly supported. It has been useful, and may still contribute 
to the progress of the subject, by binding together what other- 
wise would have been dispersed ; but it must speedily give 
place to something more correct in its general principles, and 
more minutely accurate in its detail. These remarks, how- 
ever, are by no means intended to detract from the merit of | 
Werner’s researches, nor to deny to him the credit of hav- 
ing produced an era in the science of the earth. The deve- 
lopement of the great formations of rocks, and of the con- 
stancy of their order of succession throughout the globe, if I 
the latter be confirmed by future observations, would be suffi- 
cient alone to place him very high amongst the cultivators of 
* Miucralogical .Survey of Dumfries, p. 51. 168. 
t Geognosy, p. 40. 
