141 



form and structure, as when living ; except, that their 

 substance is changed into perfect carbonate of lime, or 

 like the substances which surrounds them. This is so 

 common, and so often met with that it is unnecessary to 

 mention any particular case. 



Sdly. Lapidified fishes have been found in numerous 

 instances, and in various parts of the world, inveloped 

 in gypsum and slate rocks ; possessing all their char- 

 acters, as it respects their form, size, stripes, marks, 

 spots, and even colours, in some specimens, so perfect 

 as to enable the experienced naturalist to determine 

 the species to which they belong almost at sight. 



"Petrified fishes have been discovered in solid 

 rocks in the very attitude of seizing and swallowing 

 their prey."* 



In a specimen obtained from Vestena Nuova and 

 exhibited in the Museum of Natural History at Paris, 

 '-is seen a pike which has died with another fish of the 

 same species still in his throat. ?J f 



" Many of the fossil fishes found in the slates of La 

 Bolca, have, from their state of preservation, been re- 

 cognized as belonging, in particular, to those of the 

 south sea."f 



" A workman, in attempting to square a stone, ob- 

 tained by demolishing the Abbey of Vaucelles, split it 

 into two parts ; one of which exhibited the impression 



* See Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, p. 442, 



- See Parkenson's Organick Remains, Vol. 3, p. 252. 

 t See Shirwan's Geological Essays, p. 71. 



