El concepto de especie mineral según Juan Vilanova y Pieraejercicio de oposición a la Cátedra de Historia Natural de Oviedo (1849)

Resumen

/n 1849, Juan Vilanova y Piera -who had taken his PHD in Universidad Central de Madrid in 1846 - , presented a dissertation on the criteria for the classification of minerals, during the examinations for the chair of Natural History at the Universidad de Oviedo. In it, Vilanova demonstrates his updated knowledge on the theories reigning about this topic in that moment. The manuscript shows two differentiated parts. The first is devoted to explain the classification concept in accordance with the ideas ot Linneus, de Candolle and Dufrenoy. The second discusses mineralogical concepts and classifications. Vilanova presented a panoramic view on the ideas of Wernerian, Haüy and French authors, and Berzelius. He argued against Berzelius ideas, because they were too chemical and undervalued Mineralogy as a part of Chemistry. Finally, Vilanova showed his preferences for French mineralogical ideas, and praised the Alexander Brongniart and Dufrenoy classifications as more adequate.