98 
in a small depression, is a slightly projecting substance, appearing like 
that part which is termed the eye in pomaceous fruits. From this 
substance proceed numerous ramifying raised lines which spread over 
the whole surface of the body, and are collected together towards the 
pedicle. The manner in which these ramifications go off from the 
centre is more plainly shewn in Plate IX. Fig. 11. 
On viewing the polished section of this fossil, as here represented, it 
is plainly seen that the general substance of this petrified body was 
originally of the alcyonic spongy nature. Numerous fibres are also -seen 
proceeding from the projecting body at the superior part; some of which 
pass straight on the opposite surface, and others directly to the sides ; 
whilst others diverge immediately, pass along the superior part, and 
then, spreading over the external surface, embrace the whole substance 
of the fossil. 
In very few instances can the assumed sportiveness of creative nature 
be illustrated better than in this series of fossils. Every mode seems to 
have been here adopted to mislead the observer, and to occasion him 
to consider as a vegetable, a substance .which, in its original state, 
doubtless owed its existence to the energies of animal life alone. To 
lead to the general idea of a fruit, we have the pedicle bearing the 
appearance of a stalk, and a substance in the opposite surface 
resembling that which is termed the eye of the fruit. In their general 
forms are seen the resemblances of pears, apples, figs, &c. ; and in 
some, marks on their surface, giving a similar appearance to that of the 
nutmeg. In all, the internal substance appears like the parenchyma 
of fruits : and in some, fibres like those of tlie ligneous kind are seen 
traversing through ; whilst in others, small bodies, like the seeds of 
fruits, are seen imbedded in the midst of this substance. 
Thus we perceive that animals may be endued with forms, and may 
even possess internal organization, so different from those of the 
generality of animals, that they shall more resemble the subjects of 
the vegetable than of the animal kingdom, and yet sh^ll be so consti- 
