Classification in the Methode

As its title states, the Methode de nomenclature chimique was a treatise on chemical nomenclature, or, more precisely, on the methods of constructing names of chemical substances. As Lavoisier stressed, the aim of the work was to present a method for systematic naming— mmc methode de nommer Classification was one prerequisite of this method, and linguistic rules were another. Whereas the authors elaborated broadly on the latter—not only in the opening Memoire by Lavoisier, but also on several occasions in Guyton s Memoire—, they said almost nothing about their mode of classifying, at least not verbally, in the essays of the Methode. Yet their classification is presented in form of a table inserted in the Methode, the Tableau de la nomenclature chimique. 

The table of chemical nomenclature was posted in the Academie des Sciences in the second half of April 1787—Lavoisier read his fundamental Memoire on April 18, Guyton his Memoire on May 2—to give the members of the Academy the opportu- 

39 On the somewhat contradictory evidence of Fourcroy s service or non-service on the commission, see Smeaton [1962] p. 41ff. 

42 On these occupations, see, for instance, Donovan [1996] p. 188ff. and Poirier [1993] pp. 84ff., 115ff., 154ff., and 198ff. 

43 On Lavoisier and the R4gie Royale des Poudres et SalpHres, see Bret [1994] and Mauskopf [1995]. 

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