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foreign to the region in which it is found ; and is indeed, in a great 

 measure, applicable to most of these bodies ; to some, however, it 

 cannot, with propriety, be applied. While the body retains, not 

 only its primitive form, but also most of its original constituent 

 principles, the application of this term is, perhaps, admissible.; but 

 when its primitive form has entirely disappeared, and hardly an 

 atom of it remains in its original state of combination, the sub- 

 stance may be surely considered, as having undergone so complete 

 a naturalization, as no longer to admit the application of an epithet, 

 denoting its being foreign to the region in which it exists. 



Adventitious, is an epithet still more objectionable ; since it not 

 only conveys the same idea as the foregoing word, but also denotes, 

 that the present situation of these substances, is the result of chance 

 or accident. The slightest suggestion of such an opinion demands 

 an immediate opposition ; for in all nature's works, there exist not 

 stronger proofs of the provident design of the almighty Creator, 

 than in this, apparently, casual disposition of these substances. 

 Adventitious, therefore, is a term, which in this instance, ought 

 never to be applied. 



I will now proceed to offer, for examination, the nomenclature 

 which I am inclined to adopt, for the necessary distinction of these 

 substances. Should I, in doing this, be found to suggest terms not 

 sufficiently significant, I intreat that it may be considered, that I 

 have necessarily been limited in the exercise of my choice, by my 

 care and anxiety to avoid the coining of new terms ; or the making 

 of any unnecessary infringement on the language, which universal 

 acceptance has sanctioned. 



The term fossil, so often vaguely employed, is in fact, the term, 

 describing all those mineral substances, which have been duff out of 



O ' O 



the earth. These I divide into primary and secondary, agreeable to 

 the generally accepted division of mountains. Under the PRIMARY 

 FOSSILS, I place all those substances which may be supposed to 



