OF FOSSILS. 213 



pointed cones are produced by the falling fluid 

 upon the floor, and both increufing in 'length, 

 meet at lufl, and form one continued column. 

 If the fame water purfucs its trickling courfe 

 along the walls, we find them covered with a 

 Oalagmitic cruft; which according to the diver- 

 lit/ of the protuberances exhibits a great varie- 

 ty of figures, that, with the alliitance of a warm 

 imagination, may be made to rcfemble com- 

 plete animals, or their fevcral mcmb-jrs, and a 

 thoufand other forms and appearances. From 

 this water fullered to remain long at reft, fpata- 

 ccous cryftals ar" fcparated, that ailuinc va- 

 rious fliapes; as the granatic, the ichocrlaccous, 

 hyacinthic, dodecaedric, and thofc pyramidal on 

 both fides, named fvvines teeth, and many o- 

 thers. 



The internal texture like wife admits of conii- 

 derable variation. The niofl fubtle particles 

 unite into a denfc and equal ma is : Tiiofe that 

 are granulous, and of many angles, form com- 

 binations more rough and uneven ; fuch as are 

 produced by chryflailization appear fpataceous; 

 and others that arc alternately depoiited in lira- 

 ta, or lamel he, prefent.ii divided ilruclure. 



The degrees of cohclion alfo vary according 

 to circumllanccs. \Vater charged with fine 

 particles of aerated chalk, and quickly evapora- 

 ted, leaves a powder icarccly cohering, and 

 which foils the lingers, like the mineral known 

 .0 3 by 



