[ 3*5 ] 
the Spring, where nothing but Chance could have 
direftcd them. This petrified Wood is often found 
in different Places on the Shores of the Lough, but 
generally in greater Plenty when the Water has been 
difturbed by great Storms; which makes it impofli- 
ble to fix on the particular Place where the petrify- 
ing Juice mod prevails $ except a Tree, or any large 
Piece, fhould be found fo fixed as to refifi: the Force 
of the Waves. 
Mr. Smyth (a) makes this further Obfervation : 
“ This Virtue is certainly, if not only , in the Ground 
iC or Soil, he judges (fays he) for thefe Reafons ; 
€C Thar there are many Stones turned up daily, efpe- 
“ dally at their breaking up new Ground, which 
Xc we cannot in any Probability think were brought 
€C thither; they are often found at two Miles Di- 
ic fiance from the Lough , feldom farther, in great 
“ Numbers, and very deep in the Ground ; and a 
c< Gentleman (on whofe Credit I received the In* 
€t formation) faw a Stump of a Tree digg'd out of 
tC the Ground at a fmail Diftance from the Lough , 
“ which, by handling of it, he found to be petrified* 
<c He affured me, the Roots and all were Stone, and 
cc altogether like thofe Stones that are ordinarily 
<c found, and go by the Name of Lough Neagh 
u Stones. This Gentleman was of Opinion, thefe 
tC were Lapides fui generis , till this Obfervation 
convinced him : And that thefe Stones were once 
Wood, is, I think, very certain ; for they fhew the 
iC $\zv\ Veftigia of Wood j they likewife burn, and 
<c cleave : 
{a) Philof. Tranf. ibid, ut Jupra. 
