236 DESCRIPTION OF A VEGETABLE IMPRESSION 



and about fourteen broad ; the widest part of the impression 

 measures four inches, and the diameter of the circles a little 

 more than three. On each edge of the mass there are other 

 impressions of vegetable remains, and in one place some feeble 

 indications of the same kind as those on the principal sur- 

 face. 



I considered this specimen of so much importance, that I was 

 induced to request Mr Greville to make a drawing of it, with 

 the view of communicating it to the scientific world ; and I am 

 happy to acknowledge, that to the distinguished abilities of 

 that gentleman, I am indebted lor a most beautiful design, from 

 which the annexed engraving has been made by Mr Lizars. 

 When communicating with Mr Lizars, on the subject of this 

 engraving, he shewed me a plate he had executed for the Encij- 

 dopcedia Edinensis, representing a specimen belonging to Dr 

 Millar, similar to my own, which till then I considered 

 unique. I waited on Dr Millar, who politely shewed me his 

 specimen. It presents a string of five buds : they are smaller 

 in dimensions, about an inch, or an inch and a half in diame- 

 ter, but very distinct, set at regular distances, and in all re- 

 spects quite analogous. This specimen was found in a quarry 

 belonging to Sir John Dalrymple, on the ridge a little south 

 of Dalkeith, — where I learn a great many other fossils, and 

 many curious impressions of plants, are found in great abun- 

 dance. 



It is not my intention to touch upon the interesting specu- 

 lations which the occurrence of these unknown species of vege- 

 tables irresistibly opens to the mind. They give us a glimpse 

 of former periods, which sets conjecture at defiance, and 

 smiles at the vain attempts of theory to unravel. I only wish 

 to call the attention of the naturalist, to the advantage which 

 may be derived from a proper attention to this department of 



natural 



