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III. A Letter from Mr . David Erskin Baker 
to Martin Folkes Efq\ Pr. R. S. contain- 
ing Co?iJiderations on two extraordinary 
Belemnit®. 
SIR, 
Rea^ Nov. 2 4-X TARIOUS have been the Opinions 
\ of Authors concerning the Origin 
of the Belemnita , and as various the Syttems and 
Hypothefcs advanced by them in Support of their 
Opinions ,* fome having imagined them vegetable 
Prod udf ions 5 others have taken them for the differ- 
ent Parts of Animals, as Teeth, Horns, Bones, &c. 
in which even thefe again have differed, as to the 
referring them to land or marine Animals > and they 
have been by others fuppofed of mineral Origin, or 
Lapides fui generis. What they* really are, will, I 
doubt, be hill very difficult to determine but, as 
one principal Objection to their being originally 
marine Bodies (which Suppofttion feems to carry 
the greateft Colour of Probability) has been, that 
no marine Bodies have been found adhering to them, 
that Objection will be obviated by no lels than two 
Specimens, from the lame Place, of Belemnita , 
whereto undoubted marine Subttanccs are found 
firmly affixed; by which Pittances, as fome further 
Light may be thrown on this Subjed, that Confede- 
ration will, I hope, hand as an Excufe for my trou- 
bling you with this Paper. 
Thefe curious Foflils, which, together with the 
Drawings of them, I humbly fubmit to your Exa- 
mination, 
