IN THE CARNATie. b^ 



so as to let a considerable part of both its extremities be seen, on each side 

 of the mound. - 



I SHALL observe of the last eminence to the southward (which is se- 

 parated about a quarter of a mile from the rest) that it exhibits the most 

 remarkable assemblage of petrifactions. I discovered, within the circum- 

 ference of about one hundred yards, no less than ten trees of a large size, 

 lying in different dire6lions, excepting three of them which were parallel 

 to each other, with a proportion of their roots out of the ground ; some al- 

 most complete, although the bodies were generally enveloped with the 

 .stratum. 



Although it was reported to me that there were no trees seen at a dis- 

 tance from the rising grounds above described, yet I noticed part of one, 

 just appearing at the surface of the earth, in the plain, about half way be- 

 tween the hills and the village. Moreover a French officer (who now 

 resides at Pondicherry ) showed me a piece of petrified wood, which he had 

 himself separated from a large block, which lies in the bed of the Arria- 

 coopum river, at a distance of about seven or eight miles from Treevikera. 

 In the same manner we may believe that a great many more petrified 

 trees lie hid under ground, which have yet never been exposed to light 

 in that state. 



I HAVE generally remarked of these petrifactions, that they are more 

 perfe6l at the root, and in those parts which are buried underground, than 

 where they lie exposed to the air. The petrified root, in most places, is as 

 iiard as flint: it takes a much finer polish thtm any part of the stem, and 

 assumes a more variegated appearance, in its veins and colours : like the 

 flint, it easily strikes fire, and breaks short where it is briskly stricken. 



B 



