255 



bol is found v^ry frequently in the coats of arms of the more ancient 

 families, in those districts, in which these fossil bodies have been long 

 known to abound. This circumstance has been particularly noticed 

 by Dugdale, with respect to the family of the Shuckboroughs, for a 

 knowledge of which I am indebted to that assiduous antiquary Mr. 

 Thomas Fisher, to whom we are indebted for the publication, with se- 

 veral other interesting pieces, for a series of ancient paintings disco* 

 vered in the Ghapel of the Trinity, at Stratford upon Avon, in War- 

 wickshire. 





This family," Dugdale observes, do bear for their arms, Sable, 

 a Cheveron betwixt three Mullets argent ; relating, as 'tis observable, to 

 those little stones called Astroites, which are very like a mullet, and 

 are frequently found in the plowed fields hereabouts*/' 



The calcareous masses of the remains of this animal will, in gene- 

 ral, bear a very good polish, and then present a very pleasing appear r 

 ance, from the delicate variegation of the marble by the slight traces 

 of the animal remains : every part being so thickly beset with these 



* The Antiquities of Warwickshire illustrated, p. 219, 



