28 
Mr. Jolin Hunter, and many other gentlemen distinguished for 
their avidity of research, and their extensive knowledge respecting 
the astonishing productions of nature. The Academia Scientiarum 
Imperialis Petropolitance Commentarii contain some very excellent 
papers on these subjects, by Professor Pallas. T.he Societatis Regise 
Scientiarum Gottingeiisis Commentarii, and the Memories de I Aca- 
ddmie Royale des Sciences, also contain several very instructive 
papers. In the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, 
some interesting 'papers have lately appeared, by Thomas Jefferson, 
Esq. Dr. Wistar, and Mr. Turner, respecting the bones of various 
unknown animals, which have been discovered in that part of the 
world. 
In l/Sl were published some very interesting observations on 
these subjects, in the Physiological Disquisitions of Mr. William 
Jones. 
In 1793 was published, by Mr. Martin, of Buxton, a work, con- 
taining figures and descriptions of Petrifactions collected in Derby- 
shire. Of this work only seven numbers have been yet published. 
The figiues are given with such fidelity, and the descriptions with 
so much acciuacy, that it is only by supposing the natural history of 
these substances is not so generally known, as to have excited a 
sufficient degree of interest in collectors, that we can account for the 
public demand not having called for their more frequent publication. 
Cuvier, in a paper given into La Societe d' Histoire Naturelle, at 
Paris, has published some important remarks on the fossil remains 
of various unknown animals ; and has likewise announced his inten- 
tion of publishing his inquiries on this subject, on a very extended 
scale. From this work so much information is to be expected, that, 
I doubt not, its publication will prove an important epoch in the 
history of this science. 
It must, however, be acknowledged, that during the last fifty 
years, but little has been done in this part of the world, towards the 
