C 170 3 
fence. Tis exaCtly conformable to the Original. 
The moft able Phyficians, and the beft Anatomifts, 
whom 1 have confulted on this SubjeCt, allure me 
they never faw any thing like it of the kind. I can 
vouch, that the Engraving, rho' very exaCt, does not 
come up to this lingular Work of Nature j the ten 
Branches of which, that fpread from the Centre, 
have fome Refemblance with thofe of certain Plants. 
It is a matter of Difficulty to me to think, that the 
Syftem of Juxt-Appofition, which is employ'd to ex- 
plain the fucceffive Growth of common Stones or 
Calculi , can hold good on this Occalion. I dare not 
however advance, that Vegetation has any Share here- 
in : Though the Shape of the Branches of the Stone, 
of the Canals, or *Papillte y which feem deftin'd to 
convey the nutritious Juices, do in fome meafure 
favour this Hypothefts. I hope, Sir, you will be fo 
kind to give me your Thoughts on this ^Phanomenort 
of Nature. I fhall efteem it as a fure and infallible 
Oracle, and fhall bring to it, as to a fix'd Point, every 
Conjecture and Idea that fuch a Novelty can give Rife 
to. I thought proper to join to the Figure of the 
Stone, the Account of the Patient's Diftemper, in 
whofe Bladder it was found ; as Mr. Salien, Surgeon 
of Lijle in the County of VenaiJJin , has fent it to me. 
TheFaCt, of itfclf, examin'd with fuch Philofophical 
Eyes as yours. Sir, cannot fail of appearing curious. 
And moreover, skilful Lithotomies may reap 
fome Advantage by it, for perfecting their Opera- 
tions. For allowing the Poffibility of Calculi of a 
Conformation fomewhat like this, which they may 
judge of by knowing the Bulk of the Stone, they 
will underftand, that in fuch a Cafe, no other Method 
but 
