DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. 



THE fossil animal body which is here represented is of the genus 

 Alcyonium. Bodies of a similar form and structure are found in 

 various parts, but no where in greater quantities than in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Touraine, in France, and in Wiltshire. It was at first 

 supposed that this fossil had been obtained from the latter of these 

 places ; but on comparison with the Wiltshire alcyonites, it appears, 

 that although of the same original structure with them ; yet the 

 changes which it has undergone are such as rather point out its being 

 a French fossil. The original animal fibres are now entirely silicious ; 

 and the interstices are filled with carbonate of lime. At its inferior 

 part are the remains of its footstalk ; on the surface the fibrous 

 structure appears ; and on the left side, and at the superior part, a 

 portion of the original investing or cortical part may be seen. 

 Vide, p. 125. 



