Of OXFO^^S HI%E. 9] 



fcended in double branches and points, which near the rim were 

 included in oval Annulets ; the double and protuberant points 

 of thefe , about mid-way to the rim are turned into fingle , 

 though much larger ones, as in Tab. 3. Fig. 1. which now de- 

 fcending in fingle points, and meeting in an Vmbilicm not in the 

 middle of the bajis, but fo much to one fide, that the branches 

 upon this account being fome longer fome (horter, and crofling 

 the bafis in a much different manner, make a figure fomwhat re- 

 fcmblinga Flwer-de-l'ps, as in Tab. 3. Fig. 2. which had been all 

 I fliould have faid concerning thefe Bronti*, but that perhaps it 

 may not be unworthy our notice. 



1 . That the protuberancies of this laft fione are all hol- 

 low, which when broken, look juft like the hollow 

 points of the former ; which has given me fome 

 ground to fufpeft, that the deep points of that may 

 have formerly been eminencies like the raKed points of 

 this, and are only broken down by the injuries of 

 time. 



2. That none of thefe Bront'ue have been defcribed be- 

 fore, but the 12 and 13 of Tab. 2. which indeed are 

 fomwhat like the 8 and 1 o of Aldrovandws c .* and 



3. That though fome Authors have thought them the 

 petrified fhells of the Echinus Spatagus, or Briffu* of 

 Arislotle, I have reafon to think (as (hall appear in a 

 fitter place) that they will prove nothing lefs. 



38. Befide the Brontioe of the Forreign Naturalisls, we have 

 others, which herein England we call likewife Thunder-bolts, in 

 the form of arrows heads, and thought by the vulgar to be indeed 

 the darts of 'Heaven : which only in conformity to my own Coun- 

 try (though for as much reafon as the foregoing Brontidt) I have 

 placed amongft the [tones related to the Heavens. 



39. From their form, by all Naturalijls they are called Bele- 

 mnites, from the Greek word BUquw telum, which indeed there 

 are fome of them reprefent pretty well. We have of them in 

 O-xford-fiire of divers forts, yet all of them I find agreeing in 

 this , that their texture is of fmall Jlrije, or threds radiating 

 from the center, or rather axh of the Stone, to the outermoft 



fnperficies ; and that burn'd, or rub'd againft one another, or 



t U6 . 4, cap. 1. p. 455, 



fcraped 



