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HAUY'S CRYSTALLOGRAPHY AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS: A LANDMARK IN MINERALOGY AND CHEMISTRY. Chemical composition traditionally determines four classes in mineralogy (acidiferous, earthy, nonmetallic combustible, and metallic) and the order and genera. The form of the constituent molecule determines the species. In this work, Hauy "emphasized the invariability of the form and the composition of the constituent molecule of a species but was forced to admit that the definite proportions were often blurred by heterogeneous materials accidentally mixed with the compound" (DSB). By extension, he realized that chemical analysis cannot determine which components are accidental and which essential, since even a small amount of a substance may impress its form on a larger amount of "accidental" impurities. "Only for geometry are all crystals pure," was Hauy's conclusion. Details: First Edn 8vo, cont. sheep ( tree sheep ), richly gilt spine, gilt borders on front and rear boards: Endpapers, 1 blk, 2 lvs (1/2 title, title page), lvi (Introduction, Contents, Errata), 312 pp, 4 folding plates, 1 blank. This copy lacks the rare supplementary errata leaf preceding p 1 in some copies (see Neville I pp 602-3). Small abrasion to front board, some wear, small repairs to tips. Overall VG+.
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