Philosophical Transactions and Collections Volume 2; Abridged and Disposed Under General Heads (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1749 Excerpt: ...only Pieces of Amber, that are small, less solid, and of an ugly Colour. But the Wood is by no means to be derived from the Trees which grow here; for such prodigious large Trunks, lying flat, and stretching their Roots and Branches a great many Fathoms round, are not to be seen any where else. Neither is it like the Wood of Trees; because there are no Signs neither of Pith nor Bark, and there are no Divarications or Knots of the Branches, nor Stalks for Leaves. Neither is there any Change of Fibres, but they are all alike in every Part of the Trunk; not to mention that it appears of a woody Structure, but not to have grown in round Layers of Fibres, but rather plain. But your Connoijfeurs have, long ago, left off admiring subterraneous Woods, after a great many different Kinds of them dug up in Europe were submitted to their Examination. Francifcus Stellutus Lynceus describes a Kind of Wood, found in the Pits in the Dukedom of Spokto or Umbria, vtry elegantly waved, and fit to exercise the Genius's of Artists, first discovered by Prince S. Angeli Frederick Cqfius and P. Kircber mentions the lame. Another Kind of fossil Wood of Germany, was discovered by the Industry of D. Pillingen in Misnia, who explained the Production of it in a learned Commentary. I have a Piece of subterraneous Wood transmitted to me from Lunenberg, which is both more solid and heavy than that of Prussia. But I have been made acquainted with the Wood dug up together with the Amber upon the Sudavian Shore, and in the inner Parts of Prvjsia, by Letters from several Friends, which I can very well give Credit to. And Bartholini and Borricbeus, whose Testimonies I make no doubt of, mention both Barks and Wood dug out of the Pits at Copenhagen, out of which there was got Amber in considerab...