32 
From the total ignorance which subsisted respecting these sub- 
stances, all the earlier writers contented themselves with employing 
words to describe them, which denoted their resemblance to certain 
forms ; describing them, generally, as figured stones (lapides 
Jigurati ^ lapides idiomorphi). Others, who supposed they owed 
their forms to certain exti’aordinary changes, which took place at 
the period at which the earth was overwhelmed by the general 
deluge, described them as diluvian stones (lapides diluviani). 
But whilst they thus, with the utmost propriety, employed such 
expressions as were, at least, not likely to mislead, they, of necessity, 
were confined to such as were deficient in significancy. 
But when the discovery was made, that most of these figured 
stones were remains of subjects of the vegetable and animal king- 
dom, these modes of expression were found insufficient ; and, whilst 
endeavouring to find appropriate terms, a considerable difficulty 
arose; language not possessing a sign to represent that idea, which 
the mind of man had not till now conceived. The nature and 
origin of these substances had long been enveloped in the darkest 
ignorance; and when sufficient rays of light had broken in upon 
them, to enable the philosopher to view them more distinctly, he 
plainly saw the important relation, which they bore to the history 
of our globe ; and found himself engaged, in the contemplation of 
objects almost unknown, and in the study of a science, entirely new. 
This occurring, at so late a period, when language was fully esta- 
blished, and when every word had its peculiar office allotted to it ; 
necessity drove him to the alternative of either coining new words, or 
of selecting, from those already in use, such as might be best adopted 
for the description of these substances. The latter mode was pre- 
ferred ; and the word fossil, which had hitherto been appropriated 
to the whole of that class of bodies, which had been dug out of the 
earth, appearing to approach the nearest to the idea, which was 
wished to be conveyed, it was almost universally adopted to mark 
