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so blended together, in a confused mass, that were it not for the 

 knots, which are very evident, its ligneous origin would not be 

 detected. Switzerland, various parts of Germany, Saxony, Hun- 

 gary, and Bohemia, have indeed hitherto produced the most beau- 

 tiful specimens. From the chain of mountains, formerly named 

 Taurus, in Natolia, from the neighbourhood of Pergamo, and from 

 some of the mountains of Italy, very interesting specimens are ob- 

 tained. The fossil wood of Coburg, in the Circle of Franconia, is, 

 in general, very beautiful ; since it equals any in hardness, and is, 

 consequently, susceptible of as fine a polish as any ; and, at the 

 same time, displays, very determinately, the ligneous texture. Bam- 

 berg also furnishes a fossil wood, very nigh approaching, in beauty, 

 that of Coburg. The wood which is dug at Rockenhausen, and 

 from the mountain at Kyfhausen, is eminently conspicuous for its 

 beauty; its hardness almost equalling that of agate, and its in- 

 termixture with a white earth giving it also the character of jasper: 

 an oxide of iron, frequently of a bright red, tints it very beautifully 

 in various parts ; whilst a few, but decided traces of wood, deter- 

 mine the wonderful change which it has sustained. The fossil wood 

 of Chemnitz seldom displays very clearly the characteristic marks 

 of the wood; it giving rather the idea of agate, or of jasper, which, 

 in hardness, it fully equals. 



That Saxony and Hungary, whence the noble opal is chiefly ob- 

 tained, should abound in those silicious woods which nearest resem- 

 ble the opal in their lustre, is a circumstance which here demands 

 our particular attention, since it will yield us some additional evi- 

 dence, whilst determining on the question which will next require 

 to be agitated. 



Yours, &c. 



