the Metropolis o f England. The most early
stage to which we can carry back its origin, was
among the swamps and forests o f the primeval
earth, where it flourished in the form o f gigantic
Calamites, and stately Lepidodendra, and Sigil-
lariae. From their native bed, these plants were
torn away, by the storms and inundations o f a
hot and humid climate, and transported into
some adjacent Lake, or Estuary, or Sea. Here
they floated on the waters, until they sank saturated
to the bottom, and being buried in the
detritus o f adjacent lands, became transferred
to a new estate among the members o f the
mineral kingdom. A long interment followed,
during which a course o f Chemical changes, and
new combinations o f their vegetable elements,
have converted them to the mineral condition o f
Coal. B y the elevating force o f subterranean
Fires, these beds of Coal have been uplifted from
beneath the waters, to a new position in the hills
and mountains, where they are accessible to
the industry o f man. From this fourth stage in
its adventures, our Coal has again been moved
by the labours o f the miner, assisted by the Arts
and Sciences, that have co-operated to produce
the Steam Eng in e and the Safety Lamp. R e turned
once more to the light o f day, and a
second time committed to the waters, it has, by
the aid o f navigation, been conveyed to the scene
o f its next and most considerable change by
fire; a change during which it becomes subservient
to the most important wants and conveniences
o f Man. In this seventh stage o f its
long eventful history, it seems to the vulgar ey e
to undergo annihilation ; its Elements are indeed
released from the mineral combinations
they have maintained for ages, but their apparent
destruction is only the commencement o f
new successions o f change and o f activity. Set
free from their long imprisonment, they return
to their native Atmosphere, from which they
were absorbed to take part in the primeval v eg etation
o f the Earth. To-morrow, th ey may contribute
to the substance o f timber, in the Trees
of our existing fo r e sts; and having for a while
resumed their place in the living vegetable k in g dom,
may, ere long be applied a second time
to the use and benefit o f man. And when
decay or fire shall once more consign them to the
earth, or to the atmosphere, the same Elements
will enter on some further department, o f their
perpetual ministration, in the economy o f the
material world.
Fossil Coniferce*
The Coniferae form a large and very important
tribe among living plants, which are charac-
See PI. 1. Figs. 1. 31. 32. 69