OUTLINES 



OF 



ORYCTOLOGY 



Oryctology is the science which inquires into the nature, 

 origin, and formation of those bodies which possess the 

 figures, markings, or structure of vegetables or animals, 

 whilst their substance evinces their having been preserved 

 through many ages, by certain changes effected in sub- 

 aqueous or subterranean situations.* 



The substances of which these bodies are formed being 

 generally of a mineral nature, the term FOSSILS is applied 

 to them, as declaratory of their having been dug from sub- 

 terranean situations. They have also been termed adven- 

 titious^ extraneous, or secondary fossils, to distinguish them 

 from those fossils or original mineral substances which are 



* The term Oryctology is liable to the objection of not being 

 sufficiently confined, it including, in fact, every substance dug out of 

 the earth ; the term Fossil, also, is exposed to the same objection : 

 in excuse for their employment, it must be observed, that this lan- 

 guage was formed, and these terms were adopted and had received 

 the stamp of authority from usage, whilst utter ignorance prevailed 

 respecting the nature of the substances to which they were applied. 

 Either, then, the best of these terms must be admitted, a new vo- 

 cabulary be formed, or perpetual periphrasis be had recourse to : the 

 first has been preferred. 



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