99 



the Chilian willow is perhaps the most suscep- 

 tible of petrifaction, and pieces of it are every 

 where to be met with that have undergone this 

 change ; to effect which, it requires to be bu- 

 ried but for a short time in a moist and sandy 

 soil. I have also found pieces of the Perirdcm 

 taper with the thorns adhering to them com- 

 pletely petrified, though instances of this are 

 less frequent, as the moist and spongy texture 

 of that tree renders it less liable to petrifaction.* 





 Izfrge tree, with an axe adhering to it, apparently of iron, as 



on attempting to disengage it, it fell into pieces, which re- 

 sembled the rusty scales of that metal. Am, Trans, 



* Coal is not mentioned among the mineral productions of 

 Cliili: llerrera, however, says there is a coal mine upon the 

 heach, near the city of Conception ; a black stone, he calls it, 

 which burns like charcoal. E, E. 



Z).r. S. L.G. C. 11. 



H -^ 



