T his paper makes a historical review of the classification of igneous rock series, and points out ho w the modern idea of igneous rock series is developed as well as their difference in meaning in the past and at present, in order to clear up a misunderstanding as to the division of igneous rock series. In the first half of the twentieth century, the aubalkalic and talc-alkalic series were synonymously used. However, the aubalkalic rock series is not equivalent to the talc-alkalic series in the modern concept. The misunderstanding about the classification of igneous rock series in Chinese literature may be owing to little knowledge about the change in their meanings in the history.