Queries and Answers. 



107 



(Jig. 25. and/g. 26.), from the same mine. Fig. 25. has the appearance of 



a kind of rush laid side 25 



by side, and extends to 



about 5 ft. in length, and 



about 2 ft. in width : it 



generally is about an inch 



in depth, and contains 



three layers, both sides 



being similarly marked. 



Fig. 26. is simply marked 



upon a thin seam of coal, 



for if the coal is taken 



from off the metal, no 



part of the impression 



remains. The fossils 



(Jigs. 25. and 26.) are 



composed of metal, being 



a kind of blue shale, and _ ^ _ 



were both covered with a thin seam of coal. Can you inform me to what 



order and genus they belong, and also what is the best work published on 



fossils, with plates? — JB. St. Hele?i's, Jan. 19. 1829. 



The article on the Progress of Geology (Vol. I. p. 442.) adverted, in 

 chronological order, to the most distinguished and valuable publications 

 which have illustrated this science and its different departments. To this 

 series we refer our correspondent. As an introduction to the knowledge 

 of fossil organised bodies generally, B. will find Mr. Parkinson's Intro- 

 duction, or outlines of oryctology, highly useful ; and it is further recom- 

 mended by its cheapness. It is well deserving a conspicuous place in the 

 library of the geologist. The fossil Testacea are best illustrated in Mr. 

 Sowerby*s splendid and costly Mineral Conchology. Artis*s Antediluvian 

 Phi/tologt/ deserves also to be consulted. That branch of the science 

 which relates to fossil botany has been, perhaps, the least cultivated 

 in this country. Both of Mr. Parkinson's works contain some valuable 

 illustrations. One volume, indeed, of the Organic Remains of a Former 

 World is exclusively devoted to the consideration of its vegetable relics. 

 Martin's Petrifactions of Derbyshire may be consulted by B. to advantage. 

 Messrs. Coneybeare and Phillips have contributed some valuable pages on 

 this obscure subject in their Outlines. Count Sternberg's magnificent book 

 is of the highest authority in this department. The Histoire des Vegeta'ux 

 Fossiles of Adolph. Brongniart, of which two numbers are published, 

 promises to be the first work on the subject. 



