A series of papers on the history of mineralogy in relation to chemisty, from the Renaissance to the beginning of the 19th century. It considers philosophical ideas underpinning early thinking on minerals and earths, the ideas of Foucault and Hooke and the practicalities of mineral analysis. 'The usefulness of collections of papers like this one is well attested to, especially in a field such as the history of science where papers are published in a variety of journals, from the technical through those of the humanities, and across national borders...this is a fine collection of original and thoughtful articles, not only full of the results of extensive scholarship, but written in a way to inspire reflection on what it means to write history of science.' Metascience, Vol. 8, No. 3 'Sciences of the Earth is...of great use and value for historians of geology and also for historians of science in general...every article can still be read with great profit.' Annals of Science, Vol. 57 '...a thought-provoking and stimulating book.' ISIS '... widely welcomed...' Ambix