434 



THE UNIVERSE. 



Solid bodies introduced into the Avoody layers are 

 speedily covered by and soon disapjiear beneath them. 

 Professor Desfontaines used to shoAv us regularly at his 

 lectiu'es the horn of a stas; which had become almost en- 

 tirely enveloped by the trunk of a tree, into which the 

 animal had, no doubt, thrust the horn some little way in 

 getting rid of it. 



236. St.ig's-horii covered by the growth of Layers of "Wood.— Paris Museum. 



Some few years ago, when a large tree in the environs 

 of Orleans was cleft, a cavity quite closed up was found 

 towards its centre, containing a death's-head and cross- 

 bones. The astonishment of the public was extreme, 

 and the prodigy was talked about everywhere. But really 

 the whole turned upon a vital phenomenon of which 

 physiology gives a complete explanation. At a distant 

 epoch some anchorite of the forest, having probably 

 hoUoAved the tree, prostrated himself and prayed before 

 these human relics, which he placed in the excavation. 



