424 
described by Leibnitz ; those of Saxony, by Mihlius ; those of 
France, and particularly those of Saint Chaumont, in the Lionnois, 
by Jussieu ; and those of England, by Dr. Woodward, Mr. Lhwydd, 
and Dr. Dickinson. Even the Antediluvian Herbarium of the learned 
and indefatigable Scheuchzer cannot be relied on ; but, on the con- 
trary, by far the greater part of the specimens mentioned by him, 
appear to have very doubtful claims to the names which they have 
obtained. Nor is this to be wondered at, when it is considered, that 
these were collected from the writings of men, who, although of 
acknowledged learning, had written when this science was still in a 
considerable degree of obscurity. 
Yours, &c. 
LETTER XLV. 
FOSSIL STEMS OF PLANTS OF THE REED, ETC FOSSILIUM 
INCOGNITUM. 
The fossil stems of plants (Phytolithi Caulis, Wallerii et Linnaei 
Lithocalmni, nonnul.) occur very frequently. They most commonly 
belong to the family of grasses ; and have been sometimes supposed 
to be analogous with some of the known species of the reed kind. 
Thus Scheuchzer figures ylrundo Sativa, Casp. Bauhin, in a schist 
from the coal mines of England*. Volckman also figures the A.runda 
Saccharina\. The Acorus has also been said, by Scheuchzer, to be 
found in a petrified state ; and common Bamboo is mentioned, by 
Walch, as having also undergone this change. But a review of 
* Herb. Diluv. Tab. IV. Fig. 1. 
t Siles. Subter. Tab. XIII. Fig. 7. 
