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found united by their flat surfaces, like the trochites, and thus forming 
a prismatic column, they were termed Asteri^ Column ares, or 
Columnar Star-stones. To these, branches were found united, which, 
terminating in bodies disposed in beautiful floscular forms, were termed 
Encrini. 
The Asteriae, or Star-stones, are small, flat, stellular, or pentagonal 
stones, ornamented, on both their upper and under surfaces, with a 
star or flower of five rays or petals, formed by very minute ridges, 
placed obliquely in two curved lines, meeting, either in a pointed or 
in a rounded form, at their outer extremities, and approaching to, and 
sometimes meeting each other nearly in the centre of the body, where 
the marks of a minute circular opening may be seen. These stones 
have been also termed Stellarice and Lapides Stellares, and by the Ger- 
mans, Sternsteines. The species or varieties of these stones, like those 
of the trochites, are very numerous ; but, in the subsequent inquiry, 
I shall think it necessary to notice those only which differ essentially 
from each other. 
“ Palmati circa Mundam in Hispania, ubi Caesar Dictator Pompei- 
um vicit reperiuntur, idque quoties fregeris."’* From this passage Mr. 
Walch is disposed to believe that Pliny had some knowledge, if not of 
the encrinus, at least of the trochites and asteriae. These words, he 
thinks, can bear no other meaning than that, on breaking these stones, 
markings resembling those of the leaves of a palm-tree were disco- 
vered : and, therefore, he supposes that the stones spoken of were en- 
trochi or columnar asteriae, which, on being separated, displayed the 
markings resembling leaves. This opinion, he supports, by observing 
that Torrubia, in his Natural History of Spain, informs us that in that 
country trochites and asteriae are at present found.']' 
* HistoriaB Naturalis, Lib. XXXV. Cap. 18. 
t From some specimens which I possess, from the mountains in the neighbourhood of 
