The ore minerals and their intergrowths / Рудные минералы и их срастания

The study of rocks and other mineral associations, especially of ore deposits, starts out from the purely descriptive. The composition of these materials, their geologic position in the most comprehensive sense, and their gross and fine structures and textures, etc., must be established. Further research must explain, first the "How"', then the "Why". The latter must comprise the interpretation of the association of materials and geologic position as well as each detail of texture and structure, even the smallest. On the knowledge obtained, one must build further and must generalize. Things of which the "Why" can be explained directly will serve in the explanation of others. In doing this the danger of circular reasoning will exist ; criticism is therefore invariably necessary, self-criticism most of all. The interpretations must, if possible, be reached along several paths, and the validity of the various paths must be carefully considered. <...>