MINERALS comprehend all the solid matters of the earth, not vegetable or animal ; for, though these last are in substance mineral, yet their organization and phenomena separate them from the simple mineral. In like manner, though the gases and acids may be generated from minerals, and, again perhaps concentra ted into minerals, yet they are not in a just sense to be regarded as minerals. The system of Mohs includes these as two genera, and adds a third in water. Logic thus confounds nature. As a sum mary, we will subjoin his orders strictly mineral, as a brief exhibition of similar substances.
Salt Order.-GENERA. 1. Natron. 2. Glauber. 3. Nitre. 4. Rock. 5. Am moniac. 6. Vitriol. 7. Epsom. 8. Alum. 9. Borax. 10. Brythine.
Haloicle Order.-GENERA. 1. Gypsum 2. Cryone. 3. Alum. 4. Fluor. 5. Cale. J3aryte Order.-GENERA. 1. ehrose. 2. Zinc. 3. Scheelium. 4. Hal.
5. Lead.
_Malachite Order.-GENERA. 1. Sta phyline. 2. Lirocone. 3. Olive. 4. Azure. 5. Emerald. 6. Habroneme.
Mica Order.-GENERA. 1. Euchlore. 2. Cobalt. 3. Iron. 4. Graphite. 5. Tale.
6. Pearl.
Spar Order.-GENERA. 1. Schiller. 2. Disthene. 3. Triphane. 4. Dystome. 5. Kouphone. 6. Petaline. 7. Feldspar.
8. Augite. 9. Azure.
Gem Order.-GENERA. 1. Andalusite. 2. Corundum. 3. Diamond. 4. Topaz.
5. Emerald. 6. Quartz. 7. Aximite. 8. Chrysolite. 9. Boracite. 10. Tourma line. 11. Garnet. 12. Zircon. 13. Ga
dolinite.
Ore Order.-GENERA. 1. Titanium. 2. Zinc. 3. Copper. 4. Tin. 5. Scheelium.
6. Tantalum. 7. Uranium. 8. Cerium.
9. Chrome. 10. Iron. 11. Manganese. Metal Order.-GENERA. 1. Arsenic. 2. Tellurium. 3. Antimony. 4. Bismuth. 5. Mercury. 6. Silver. 7. Gold. 8. Pla ting. 9. Iron. 10. Copper.
Pyrites Order.-GENERA. I. Nickel. 2. Arsenic. 3. Cobalt. 4. Iron. 5. Copper.
Glance Order.-GENERA. 1. Copper. 2. Silver. 8. Lead. 4. Tellerium.
Molybdenum. 6. Bismuth. 7. Antimo ny. 8. Melane.
Blends Order.—GENERA. 1. Glance. 2. Garnet. 3. Purple. 4. Ruby.
He then makes sulphur, resin, and mineral coal separate orders.
Hardness in minerals is expressed by the figures 1 to 10, with the letter H.
1 is as Talc.
2 .. Gypsum.
8 .. Calcareous Spar.
4 .. Fluor Spar.
5 .. Apatite.
6 .. Feldspar.
7 • .. Quartz.
8 .. Topaz.
9 .. Corundun.
10 .. Diamond.
The study of mineralogy has made great progress in this country within the last thirty years : almost all the known spe cies have been found and described on this continent, and several new species have been added to the list. The most ap proved work on this science with its refer ence to this continent, is that of Mr.Dana.