A rock is defined, by the texts available to me, as mesosilicic (or intermediate) when its $\ce{SiO_2}$ content is contained in the interval $52\%-65\%$, while it is called hyposilicic (or basic) when $\ce{SiO_2}<52\%$.
If I correctly understand the $\ce{SiO_2}$ contained in the rock as a part of a mineral other than pure $\ce{SiO_2}$, for example, the $\ce{Si_2O_4}$ part of anorthite $\ce{CaAl_2Si_2O_8}$, is calculated into the quantity of total silica. What I cannot understand at all, is whether mass or volume is taken into account.
General Chemical Classifications
$\ce{SiO2}$ (Silica) Content
> 66 wt. % - Acid 52-66 wt% - Intermediate 45-52 wt% - Basic < 45 wt % - Ultrabasic