C 4 01 ] 
tricomanes, and other capillary plants, with nodules 
of Hone formed about them ; dags, reeds, rallies, 
equifetum, and many fuch, of a firm texture, are found 
in date and Hone ; and even the iuli of trees are faid 
to have been found fofiil as well as their leaves. 
Seeds and Fruits. 
All feeds and the Hones of fruits, having a firm 
texture, are alfo capable of being flrongly impregna- 
ted with Hony and pyritieal matter ; and I make no 
doubt but that the fmaller feeds, if carefully looked 
for, might be found fofiil, as well as thefe before 
you; fuch, I mean, as have a firmnefs in the cover- 
ing ; but being frnall, and mixt with the dirt, land, 
and the like, probably is the reafon of their being over- 
looked. Fruits of various kinds are found petrified ; 
but this is only in their green Hate, when they are 
hard enough to endure till they are impregnated 
with Hony or mineral particles. The rudiments, of 
fruits, when once well formed, and a little advan- 
ced, are firm and acid : and the more remote they are 
from maturity, the more fecure from putrifadlion; 
and their acid juice is no fmall help to their prefer- 
vation from growing foon rotten. But indeed, when 
the fruit advances in growth, the texture grows gra- 
dually more lax ; the acid juices are now beginning 
to be replaced by faccharine or others more foft ; the 
fibres are driven farther afunder, and they now arrive at 
their moH ripe Hate : and the utmoH maturity of fruits 
is the next Hep to putrifadlion. Hence they are de- 
Hroyed before Hony or other particles can have time 
enough to impregnate them: and this is e; adtly the 
cafe with the fiefh of animals of every kind. The 
V o l. 50. F f f hufks 
