And therefore, what ever is by some, who have written of it, and
particularly by _Francisco Stelluto_, wrote a Treatise in _Italian_ of that
Subject, which was Printed at _Rome_, 1637, affirm'd that it is a certain
kind of Clay or Earth, which in tract of time is turn'd into Wood; I rather
suspect the quite contrary, that it was at first certain great Trees of Fir
or Pine, which by some Earthquake, or other casualty, came to be buried
under the Earth, and was there, after a long time's residence (according to
the several natures of the encompassing adjacent parts) either rotted and
turn'd into a kind of Clay, or _petrify'd_ and turn'd into a kind of Stone,
or else had its pores fill'd with certain Mineral juices, which being
stay'd in them, and in tract of time coagulated, appear'd, upon cleaving
out, like small Metaline Wires, or else from some flames or scorching forms
that are the occasion oftentimes, and usually accompany Earthquakes, might
be blasted and turn'd into Coal, or else from certain _subterraneous_ fires
which are affirm'd by that Authour to abound much about those parts
(namely, in a Province of _Italy_, call'd _Umbria_, now the _Dutchie_ of
_Spoletto_, in the Territory of _Todi_, anciently call'd _Tudor_; and
between the two Villages of _Collesecco_ and _Rosaro_ not far distant from
the high-way leading to _Rome_, where it is found in greater quantity then
elsewhere) are by reason of their being encompassed with Earth, and so kept
close from the dissolving Air, charr'd and converted into Coal.
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