LETTER XI. 



FOSSIL ALCYONIA CONSIDERED AS FRUITS BY VOLKMANN AND 



SCHEUCHZER FOSSIL ALCYONIA OF FRANCE.. ..DIFFICULTIES IN 



DISTINGUISHING THE FOSSIL SPONGES FROM FOSSIL ALCYONIA.., 

 VARIOUS SPECIMENS DESCRIBED. 



\V E now arrive at the examination of that class of bodies, of which 

 it was remarked, in the former volume, that although they were de- 

 cidedly animal substances of marine origin, yet, from the resem- 

 blance which they bore to terrestrial fruits, their animal origin had 

 been doubted, and they had been considered as pctrilied oranges, figs, 

 funguses, nutmegs, &c. 



There is no substance which has attracted our attention, during the 

 prosecution of these inquiries, which can yield so many subjects for 

 investigation as these bodies. For whether we consider the peculiar 

 forms with which they are endowed, the original modes of their -exist- 

 ence, or the extraordinary changes which they have undergone, a 

 variety of subjects of inquiry, of the most curious nature, will neces- 

 sarily arise. 



That many terrestrial fruits and seed-vessels, containing the ligneous 

 matter, have been found in a petrified state, has been already shewn : 

 of these, of course, it is not intended here .to speak. But substances 

 have been repeatedly met with, the general appearances of which 

 have so much accorded with those of some terrestrial fruits, as to have 

 led several learned and ingenious men to place them among these 

 substances. Thus Volkmann was deceived, and figured and described 



