40 . III. DIST. CHAR. Mode. 



with its internal texture, or that peculiar disposi- 

 tion of the constituent particles, which distinguishes 

 organic from inorganic matter. 



'Conservation is effected under,, 1. a privation, or 

 loss of some of the parts or constituent principles 

 of the original matter, 2. a conversion, or chemical 

 change in the combination of the remaining prin- 

 ciples, or, 3. a mechanical impregnation with 

 mineral parti cles.f 



2. PRIVATION (orbatio.) Conservata, in most 

 instances, are found wanting in the oily and volatile 

 principles, which were present in the recent body ; 

 the more fixed and earthy alone remaining under 

 the organic form and texture. 



Obs. In this state the fossil hones of land- 

 animals frequently occur ;ff insects preserved in 



f The different modes, in which the conservata occur, are here 

 considered as distinct; but it will be obvious, that they are rarely 

 if ever so in nature. They all, indeed, frequently take place in 

 the same individual; and the first, namely privation, is common 

 to all extraneous fossils. 



f-j- Recent bones consist, principally, of phosphate of lime and 

 gelatin, mixed with a small proportion of the carbonate of lime. 

 The fossil subjects often retain a portion both of the gelatin and 

 phosphoric acid in their composition, particularly in their interior 

 parts; the surface only having undergone a privation or loss of 

 these principles. In other instances, however, the gelatin and 

 phosphoric acid are wholly displaced ; while a greater proportion 

 of the carbonic acid, than that which existed in the original state, 

 is found to be united with the calcareous matter. 



