12 . II. RELICS. Phenomena 



r. Petrifactions rarely exist in veins. 



C. 5. The phenomena peculiar to the conser- 

 vata are as follows. 



a. Conservata, for the most part, occur in low 

 or flat tracts, where the strata, consisting chieflj 

 of loose or unconsolidated materials, are evi- 

 dently of modern formation, f 



fr.They are also found in the caves and fissures which 

 pervade the more ancient, mountain strata. ff But 



c. Are rarely incorporated in the stone or other 

 substance, of which such strata consist, fff 



f The animal conservata, that chiefly occur in strata of this dis- 

 cription, are shells, coral, fyones offish, and other marine remains 

 The vegetable, are the beds of bituminous wood t found at Bovey, 

 near Exeter, (and in some other parts of England also in Iceland, 

 various parts of Germany, &o.) and those of decayed trees and 

 plants, not bituminated, which have been noticed in most parts of the 

 world, but particularly on the eastern coasts of this kingdom. 

 (Vide Dr. Correa de Serras's paper on this subject. Phil. Trans. 

 17.99- P- 1.) The materials of the strata are principally marls, 

 clays, and sand sometimes chalk and porous limestones. 



ft The conservata found in caves, &c. are mostly the bones of 

 quadrupeds. The caves, or chasms, are generally in calcareous 

 strata; and the inclosed remains, for the most part, invested by 

 stalactitic depositions. 



ttt The Conservata are not wholly wanting among the remains 

 imbedded in the more ancient of the secondary strata. We have 

 met with very perfect specimens in that state, both shells and 

 corals, lodged in the solid limestones of Derbyshire, and surrounded 

 by complete petrifactions of the same species. These instances, how- 

 ever, are rare; the conservata in general being confined to the 

 the strata and other situations above enumerated. 



