25 
these substances were neither the productions of chance, nor the 
creatures of these imaginary capricious powers, they excited more 
general attention : and being better understood, they became more 
capable of systematic arrangements, and the study of them embraced 
more of science. 
The eighteenth century, therefore, commenced under the most 
favourable circumstances for this science. The learned and indus- 
trious Scheuchzer, who had adopted the most rational theory 
respecting the origin of these substances, published, in 1/02, his 
Lithographia Helvetica Curiosa; which was followed by his Piscium 
Querelce et Vindicice, in 1/08, with his Herbarium Hiluvianum in 
1/13 ; and his Musceum Hiluvianum, in 1^16. Mylius, Bajer and 
others also, about this time, published the oryctological discoveries 
which had been made in the several parts in which they resided, or 
which they had explored. Among these writers, none deserves more 
particular mention, than the accurate and diligent Rosinus ; whose 
examination of the encrinus may be regarded as a model by which all 
similar inquiries should be directed. His projected works promised 
very considerable addition to the knowledge of fossils; but these were 
suppressed by his premature death. Bruckman also pursued this 
kind of inquiry, with the utmost assiduity and success ; which is 
rendered evident by his work, de Lapide Nummali Transylvanice ; as 
well as, by the numerous observations, in his epistolary accounts of 
what he had discovered worthy of notice in his various travels. 
The works of Ritter, which were published also about this time, 
contain much oryctological information. Indeed the science, now 
rendered respectable, by being divested of the numerous absur- 
dities, with which ignorance and false philosophy had loaded it, was 
assiduously cultivated by many learned and ingenious men; and 
became more and more interesting,^ from the numerous objects of 
astonishment it displayed. Linck, Jacobus a Melle, Harenberg, 
Ehrhart, Volckman, Klein, Donati, Reaumur, with many other 
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