9B 



in a -small depression, is a slightly projecting substance, appearing 

 like that part which is termed the eye in pomaceous fruits. From this 

 substance proceed numerous ramifying raised lines which spread over 

 the whole surface of the body, and are collected together towards the 

 pedicle. The manner in which these ramifications go off from the cen- 

 tre, is more plainly shewn in Plate IX. Fig. 11. 



On viewing the polished section of this fossil, as here represented, 

 it is plainly seen, that the general substance of this petrified body was 

 originally of the alcyonic spongy nature. Numerous fibres are also seen 

 proceeding from the projecting body at the superior part; some of 

 which pass straight on the opposite surface, and others directly to the 

 sides; whilst others diverge immediately, pass along the superior part, 

 and then, spreading over the external surface, embrace the whole sub- 

 stance of the fossil. 



In very few instances can the assumed sportiveness of creative nature 

 be illustrated better than in this series of fossils. Every mode seems to 

 have been here adopted to mislead the observer, and to occasion him 

 to consider as a vegetable, a substance which, in its original state, 

 doubtless owed its existence to the energies of animal life alone. To 



o 



lead to the general idea of a fruit, we have the pedicle bearing the ap- 

 pearance of a stalk, and a substance in the opposite surface resem- 

 bling that which is termed the eye of the fruit. In their general forms 

 are seen the resemblances of pears, apples, figs, &c. ; and in some, 

 marks on their surface, giving a similar appearance to that*of the nut- 

 meg. In all, the internal substance appears like the parenchyma of 

 fruits ; and in some, fibres like those of the ligneous kind are seen 

 traversing through ; whilst in others, small bodies, like the seeds of 

 fruits, are seen imbedded in the midst of this substance. 



Thus we perceive that animals may be endued with forms, and may 

 ven possess internal organization, so different from those of the ge- 

 nerality of animals, that they shall more resemble the subjects of the 

 testable than of the animal kingdom, and yet shall be so consti- 



