13 



for a sufficient length of time ; and when it was ultimately 

 removed, if the surrounding mass was still sufficiently per- 

 vious, would be also filled with argillaceous matter, or, if it 

 was too much indurated, be left empty, which is the case 

 occasionally." * 



But the ingenious author of these observations has 

 omitted to notice the imbricated or reticulated surface of 

 the central substance which has been already noticed, and 

 which, it is presumed, will furnish us with some of the re- 

 quired information : since these configurations doubtlessly 

 depended on the attachment of some parts of the vegetable, 

 and probably were the bases on which were placed those 

 delicately formed tubular processes, which, in the repre- 

 sentation of another fossil, from Organic Remains, Vol. i. 

 PL IX, Jig. 1, an assumed fossil strobilus or cone (PI. I, 

 Jig. 3, a), are seen to pass from the internal substance to the 

 surface of the vegetable body. From all the information 

 that has been obtained, it appears that this fossil, Phyt. 

 verrucosus, was a plant of the succulent tribe, differing from 

 vegetables of the present world, by its containing a more 

 solid part within its succulent substance, from which pro- 

 ceeded a delicate organization by which a communication 

 was preserved with the external surface. It also appears 

 that the species of this genus, distinguished by their cha- 

 racteristic markings, may have been numerous : that the 

 different situations in which the internal part is found in 

 different fossils are attributable to the resolution of the ten- 

 derly organized intermediate part connecting the included 

 substance with the surface, and to the other accidents de- 

 pendent on partial and irregular decomposition, pressure and 

 distortion, occurring during its passage from the vegetable 

 to the mineral kingdom, and very probably in the manner in 

 which it is represented by Mr. Steinhauer. 



* Trans, of the American Philos, Societv, New Series, vol. i. 



