Darwin-L Message Log 6:7 (February 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<6:7>From IAP8EWH@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU  Tue Feb  1 20:00:19 1994

Date: Tue, 01 Feb 1994 18:07 -0800 (PST)
From: IAP8EWH@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU
Subject: mineral classification
To: DARWIN-L@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu

   In response to the request by Ken Jacobs for references on the
history of mineral classification, here are a few:
   For the 18th century, Albury and Olroyd (1977), Brit. J. Hist. Sci.,
33: 187.
   For raw data, Linnaeus summarizes contemporary classifications
before presenting his own in the 12th ed. of Systema Naturae.
   For the 19th century, the 6th ed. of Dana's System of Mineralogy
(E. S. Dana, 1892) reprints the prefaces of the first five editions,
which recount J. D. Dana's reluctant switch from systems based on
natural history, as used in the previous century, to systems based
on chemistry, as used more recently.  One edition (the 3rd, I think)
includes both systems.
   By way of introduction, I'm a mathematical psychologist
interested in what information classifications provide about the
classifiers and the things classified.  This list is fascinating.
Eric Holman
Psychology Dept., UCLA
iap8ewh@mvs.oac.ucla.edu

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