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superior part of the body is a circular opening, which, in some of 
the specimens, is closed by extraneous matter, derived from the ma- 
trix in which they laid. This opening, which is larger in its upper part 
than it is downwards, is continued almost to the pedicle, and in some 
specimens appears even to penetrate it. This is however very difficultly 
ascertained, since the opening is in general loaded with the extraneous 
matter. From the circumference of this opening lines may be traced, 
which not only pass over the whole of the spherical part, and inos- 
culating, are continued to the elongated part, where they form striae 
more or less plain ; but they are also found to penetrate into the sub. 
stance, both of the body and of the pedicle. These bodies have, in 
general, but one of these openings, but some have more ; and Mons. 
Guettard found one with three distinct openings. In this specimen, 
the lines or striae just mentioned were seen to collect around the cir- 
cumference of each of the openings and, after inosculating, to pass into 
the pedicle, in nearly the same manner as in the others. 
A great disproportion, it appears, is frequently observable between the 
size of the globular part of these bodies and their pedicle ; sometimes 
the pedicle appearing very large, and sometimes very small, in proportion 
to the body ; this difference is, however, frequently the consequence of 
the pedicle having been broken off ; a circumstance which indeed so 
often occurs, that a perfect specimen is very rarely to be met with : 
numerous fragments of the pedicles being dispersed about in the places 
where these bodies are found. The pedicles are in general of a conical 
form, and not unfrequently flattened. 
By grinding the globular part, as well as the pedicle on a stone, he 
discovered that their texture appeared to be similar, and that by the 
frequent ramifications of the fibres, of which their substance was com- 
posed, a net-work was formed, not much unlike the parenchyma of ve- 
getables. We therefore perceive that a loose resemblance, sufficient to 
excuse the vulgar opinion of their origin, is observable between these 
bodies and the terrestrial fruits. These bodies, like fruits, appear to 
VOL. II. M 
