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LETTER VII. 165 



^^ fame vertue and properties, by which Shells, 

 are generated in the Sea, may alfo form them 

 in the Land, provided there is parity of fub- 

 ftance, and it be equally fit for the produdtion 

 " of both, and all the Circumftances and Means 

 *^ required for their formation, may be found 

 in one, as well as in the other. I will not enter 

 into a nice Enquiry, whether they are formed 

 by Vegetation, or by Intus-fufception, as Plants 

 grow and are nourifhed ; or by Juxta-pofition 

 and Incruftation, as Bezoar (whether Foflile or 

 otherwife generated) is produced, or Stones grow 

 in the Kidneys. But choofe which Hypothefis 

 you will, and after you have diligently examined 

 the Formation of Shells, in thofe places which 

 you call natural Beds, it will appear, that the 

 fame account may be given of the Shells, on 

 the Hills of certaldo^ as of thofe that are found 

 on the Shore at Leghorn , excepting only, thofe 

 ^* that are faid to be generated with the Animals, 

 by the Seed in the Eggs. 

 17. "I forefee one Objedlion, which you will 

 infallibly urge againft me, if you be not pre- 

 vented by a timely Anfwer. You will tell me, 

 ^' that Shells are infeparable from Fifhes, Snails, 

 " or other fuch like Animals, for whofe ufe alone 

 *^ nature produces them, according to the com- 

 *' mon Axiom, That Natures does nothing in 

 l^ vain. 



L3 18. ^^Tq 



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