FOSSIL FLORA. 29 



PLATE VI. 



Fossil Fruits from Sheppey. 



The greater number of the specimens here figured, are from the London clay of the 

 Isle of Sheppey.' 



These fossils are strongly impregnated with pyrites (sulphuret of iron), and are liable to 

 decompose after exposure to the air for a few weeks or months, even when placed in closed cabinets : 

 when first found they are remarkably beautiful. An excellent work on the fossil fruits of the 

 Isle of Sheppey, was commenced by J. S. Bowerbank, Esq. F.K.S. of Highbury Grove; but 

 which, it is much to be regretted, was discontinued after only three numbers were published. 



Fig. 1. Portion of a branch of a tree, completely mineralized by pyrites; it is the "pyritous 

 fossil wood" of Mr. Parkinson. 



Figs. 2, & 3. Vegetable substances, too imperfect to determine. 



Figs. 4, 8, 9, & 13. The berries of an extinct genus of plants, (named WetherelUa, Ijy 

 Mr. Bowerbank, in honour of Mr. Wetherell of Highgate,) which, from their 

 appearance when split asunder, are called by the local collectors, " coffee berries." 

 The natural aflSnities of these fossils are not determined. 



Figs. 5, 6, & 7. The fruit or seed-vessel of a palm allied to the recent Nipa, a native of the 

 Molucca Islands ; the fossil is therefore named Nipadites^' See the next Plate. 



Figs. 10, & 12. Fossil fruits of plants belonging to the Cucumber tribe (hence named Cucumites, 

 by Mr. Bowerbank).' 



Fig. 11. A transverse section of Fig. 16. 



Figs. 14, 18, 24, & 26, are varieties of Cucumites. 



Fig. 16. Calcareous wood from Oxfordshire. 



Fig. 19. Wood mineralized by copper (Cupreous fossil- wood of Parkinson), from Souxson, 

 in Siberia. 



> For an account of the circumstances under which fossil fruits, &c. occur in that celebrated locality, see Medals of 

 Creation, vol. ii. 



- Medals of Creation, vol. i. p, 180. 



' Plate xiii. of Mr. Bowerbank's work on the Fossil Fruits of the London Clay, contains numerous figures of Cucumites. 



