243 



The probability that the stones, of which Pliny here speaks, were 

 either trochites or asteriae, appears, however, to have been very slight 

 indeed. In the first place, the marks which are displayed on the sur- 

 faces of these bodies do not appear to be such, as would be likely to 

 excite the idea of the leaves of a palm-tree : and, in the second place, 

 it appears to be much more probable, that such an idea might have 

 been rather excited by stones marked with impressions of some real 

 vegetable substance. 



Before the time of Lachmund, who first gave the name of encrinus 

 to the stone lily, it was considered, that as the separated entrochus 

 presented the figure of a wheel on its surfaces, so the separated en- 

 crinus (columnar asteriae) gave the representation of lilies. By the 

 term encrinus, therefore, the columnar asteriae were then designated. 

 Thus Agricola, who speaks of these fossils, says, referring to the co- 

 lumnar asterioe, " Quaelibet vero talis pars quinos habet angulos, la- 

 tera totidem, utrinque quina lilia, unde pentacrinos Graec6 dici potest. 

 Quemadmodum vero entrochus constat ex multis interdum trochitis, 

 sic encrinos ex multis pentacrinis *." 



It may not, however, be necessary to notice, in historic order, the 

 opinions which were entertained respecting these bodies, or the vari- 

 ous names which were applied to them ; I shall therefore proceed to 

 the examination of such of these bodies as seem particularly to claim 

 our notice. 



A considerable variety is observable in the forms as well as in the 

 markings on the surfaces of these bodies. Some are nearly circular, 

 having a small circular hole in their centre, round which is disposed a 

 pentaphylloidal figure, the spaces between which are filled with fan-r- 



Cordova, it appears that the remains of encrini are there very abundant, and assist in form- 

 ing a marble of very beautiful appearance; the animal remains, which are nearly white, being 

 imbedded in a ground of a dark red colour. 



* De Natura Fossilium, Lib. V. page 610. 



