Dana, James D.; A System of Mineralogy. Descriptive Mineralogy, Comprising the Most Recent Discoveries...aided by George Jarvis Brush. 5th edition (3rd sub-edition with emendations). New York, 1870. Quarto, pp. xlviii, 827, 616 woodcuts of crystals and minerals.

The volume is complete and in the original cloth with gilt titles. Owner's signature on end sheets. Obituary notice of Dana tipped in with archival sleeve. The text is bright and clean, binding is tight and very clean. In very good to near fine condition.
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Dana (1813-1895) an American mineralogist, crystallographer, paleontologist and zoologist was associated with Yale University from 1850 to 1890. In addition to Cleaveland's and Shepard's works on mineralogy; Dana's "System" formed the foundation of mineralogy in America. Dana made full use of Silliman's extensive private library at Yale in formulating his work. From the material available, he relied most on the works of Hauy, Mohs, and Naumann plus his own research. The work was published in the spring of 1837 and received immediate praise. Silliman's Journal wrote "We believe this to be decidedly among the best treatises upon this subject that has ever been circulated in the United States.." As the 7th edition was going to press in 1937, Edward Krause of the University of Michigan stated in an address at the GSA meeting in Washington D.C. "..I believe that Dana's System of Mineralogy is unique among American scientific publications". Dana is considered by many to be the "father of American mineralogy". The 5th edition was originally published in 1868 and updated in 1870.