32 



volume was observed evidently to increase, and apparently in 

 determined forms. 



From the total ignorance which subsisted respecting these sub- 

 stances, all the earlier writers contented themselves with employ- 

 ing words to describe them, which denoted their resemblance to 

 certain forms; describing them, generally, as FIGURED STONES 

 (lapides Jigurati fy lapides idiomorphi). Others who supposed they 

 owed their forms to certain extraordinary changes, which took place 

 at the period at which the earth was overwhelmed by the general 

 deluge, described them as DILUVIAN STONES (lapides dilumani). 

 But whilst they thus, with the utmost propriety, employed such 

 expressions as were, at least, not likely to mislead, they, of neces- 

 sity, were confined to such as were deficient in significancy. 



But when the discovery was made, that most of these figured 

 stones were remains of subjects of the vegetable and animal king- 

 dom, these modes of expression were found insufficient ; and, whilst 

 endeavouring to find appropriate terms, a considerable difficulty 

 arose ; language not possessing a sign to represent that idea, which 

 the mind of man had not till now conceived. The nature and 

 origin of these substances had long been enveloped in the darkest 

 ignorance; and when sufficient rays of light had broken in upon 

 them, to enable the philosopher to view them more distinctly, he 

 plainly saw the important relation, which they bore to the history 

 of our globe ; and found himself engaged, in the contemplation of 

 objects almost unknown, and in the study of a science, entirely new. 

 This occurring, at so late a period, when language was fully esta- 

 blished and when every word had its peculiar office allotted to it ; 

 necessity drove him to the alternative of either, coining new words, 

 or of selecting, from those already in use, such as might be adopted 

 for the description of these substances.. The latter mode was pre- 

 ferred ; and the word fossil, which had hitherto been appropriated 

 to the whole of that class of bodies, which had been dug out of the 



