Field book of common rocks and minerals

For identifying the Rocks and Minerals of the United States and interpreting their Origins and Meanings
By Frederic Brewster Loomis Late Professor of Mineralogy and Geology in Amherst College
With 47 Colored Specimens and over 100 other Illustrations from Photographs by W. E. Corbin and drawings by the Author
G. P. Putnam’s Sons New York and London
FIELD BOOK OF COMMON ROCKS AND MINERALS
Copyright, 1923, 1948 by Frederick Brewster Loomis
Twenty-sixth Impression Revised 1948
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Made in the United States of America
Dedicated TO MY MOTHER WHO ENCOURAGED ME WHILE A BOY TO GATHER MINERALS, ROCKS AND FOSSILS.
Everyone, who is alert as he wanders about this world, wants to know what he is seeing and what it is all about. Here and there with the aid of capable guides a few have been introduced into the sphere of that wide and fascinating knowledge of Nature which has been so rapidly accumulated during this and the latter part of the last century. It is a full treasure house constantly being enriched, but unfortunately the few who have been initiated have soon acquired a technical language and habit, so that their knowledge and new acquisitions are communicated to but few. The public at large, not having the language nor an interpreter at hand, has come almost at once to a barrier which few have the time or patience to surmount.
Latterly it has become clear that the largest progress cannot be made if the knowledge of any branch of Science is confined to a few only. The most rapid advances have been made where many men are interested and enthusiastic. In no science should there be a difficult barrier between the amateur and the professional student. All Nature is equally open for everyone to study, and there should never be created obstacles as by the use of terminology not easily acquired by anyone. Of late these barriers have been in part broken down and competent students have written guides which anyone can follow, and soon begin to know the plants, trees, birds, insects, etc. So far no one has attempted to make the study of minerals and rocks so direct and simple that everyone can get a start. Most books on minerals, and practically all those on rocks are written for school courses, and to say the least chill any enthusiasm which is naturally aroused by the finding of interesting looking rocks or minerals.