43 
To the vegetable impressions discovered among the 
sandstone rocks a peculiar name has not yet been 
assigned. When, however, we consider the strong 
probability that many impressions of stalks, leaves, 
fruits, and other parts of vegetables, may be hereafter 
discovered in these rocks, it will be found convenient 
to have a distinctive denomination. Vast numbers of 
vegetable impressions of a distinct and beautiful ap- 
pearance, and in great variety, have been found in the 
coal-formation, which is nearly allied to the sandstone: 
such are the Sigillaria, Stigmaria, Equisetaceee, Lyco- 
podiacee, Coniferee, Cycadew, &c. It is sufficient to 
say that the number of these has been already swelled 
to many hundreds: we must also believe, that some of 
the impressions in sandstone rocks which have been 
assigned to other substances ought to be attributed to 
vegetables. We may, therefore, venture to call the 
vegetable impressions “ phytological.” 
A number of our slabs bear impressions of vegeta- 
bles; either twigs of trees, or spires of plants. Ina 
fragment broken from one of the toes of the Bronto- 
zoum Giganteum, we see a cylindrical depression, 
three inches long, and half an inch in diameter, 
marked by transverse lines, about the sixth of an inch 
apart, and presenting an unquestionable appearance 
of a fragment of a twig of an ancient vegetable, 
