35 
only its primitive form, but also most of its original constituent 
principles, the application of this term is, perhaps, admissible ; but 
when its primitive form has entirely disappeared, and hardly an 
atom of it remains in its original state of combination, the substance 
may be surely considered, as having undergone so complete a 
naturalization, as no longer to admit the application of an epithet, 
denoting its being foreign to the region in which it exists. Coal, 
assuming its vegetable origin, is an instance of a fossil substance to 
which the epithet extraneous, appears to be unlit. 
Adventitious, is an epithet still more objectionable ; since it not 
only conveys the same idea as the foregoing word, but also denotes, 
that the present situation of these substance, is the residt of chance 
or accident. The shghtest suggestion of such an opinion demands 
an immediate opposition ; for in all nature’s works, there exist not 
stronger proofs of the provident design of the Almighty Creator, 
than in this, apparently, casual disposition of these substances. 
Adventitious, therefore, is a term, which, in this instance, ought 
never to be applied. 
I will now proceed to offer, for examination, the nomenclature 
which I am inclined to adopt, for the necessary distinction of these 
substances. Should I, in doing this, be found to suggest terms not 
sufficiently significant, I entreat that it may be considered, that I 
have necessarily been limited in the exercise of my choice, by my 
care and anxiety to avoid the coining of new terms ; or the making 
of any unnecessary infringement on the language, which universal 
acceptance has sanctioned. 
The term fossil, so often vaguely employed, is in fact, the term, 
describing all those mineral substances, which have been dug out of 
the earth. These I divide into primary and secondary, agreeable 
to the generally accepted division of mountains. Under the pri- 
mary FOSSILS, I place all those substances which may be supposed 
to be natives of, and to have existed primitively in, the subterranean 
