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FOSSOMBRONE which are probably not due to any organic bodies. Such are the rill marks produced by running water on the surface of soft argilla- ceous layers, which sometimes simulate fronds of ferns or seaweeds, or the tracks of worms. The literature of this subject is considerable, and, as will be seen from the facts already given, the study of ichnolites is one of much geological interest. Besides the publications of Hitchcock, see Lyell's "Student's Manual of Geology," and a paper on the subject by Dawson in the " American Journal of Science " for January, 1873. FOSSOMBRONE (anc. Forum Sempronii), a town of central Italy, in the province of Pesaro ed TJrbino, 9 m. E. S. E. of TJrbino ; pop. about 10,000. It is situated on the road from Fano to Rome, in a narrow valley on the Metauro. It is the seat of a bishop, and has a cathedral with many ancient inscriptions, and an old castle. The most important branch of indus- try is silk culture. Near here Hasdrubal was defeated by the Romans in 207 B. 0. The town was destroyed by the Goths and again by the Lombards, but rebuilt by the Mala- testas, who in the 14th century sold it to the duke of Urbino. FOSTER, a N. E. county of Dakota, intersected by the Sheyenne, a branch of Red river ; area about 1,700 sq. m. It has been recently formed, and is not included in the census of 1870. The Dakota or James river crosses the S. W. corner, and there are several small lakes. FOSTER, Birket, an English artist, born at North Shields in 1812. At the age of 16 he was placed with Mr. Landells, a wood engraver, by whom he was advised to turn his attention to drawing rather than engraving. His car- vings on wood, especially of landscapes and forest scenes, are among the best modern pro- ductions in that department of art. For some years he has successfully devoted himself to painting in water colors, but without wholly abandoning drawing upon wood for engravers. FOSTER, James, an English dissenting min- ister, born in Exeter, Sept. 16, 1697, died Nov. 5, 1753. He was educated in his native city, began to preach in 1718, and after removing from Devonshire to Melbourne, and thence to Ashwick, became pastor in the Barbican, Lon- don, in 1724, was afterward lecturer at the Old Jewry, and in 1744 minister at Pinner's hall. His reputation for eloquence was such that per- sons of every rank flocked to hear him. Besides many sermons, he published an "Essay on Fundamentals, especially the Trinity" (1720); " Defence of the Usefulness, Truth, and Excel- lency of the Christian Religion " (1731) ; and " Discourses on the Principal Branches of Natural Religion and Social Virtue " (London, 1749-'52). FOSTER, John, an English essayist, born in Halifax, Yorkshire, Sept. 17, 1770, died at Sta- pleton, near Bristol, Oct. 15, 1843. In early Hfe he was a weaver, but at the age of 17, hav- ing united with the Baptist church, he resolved FOSTER 343 to devote himself to the ministry, and finished his studies at the Baptist college in Bristol. He commenced his career as a preacher at New- castle-on-Tyne in 1792, and afterward went to Dublin, and endeavored unsuccessfully to estab- lish himself either as a preacher or schoolmas- ter. In 1797 he went to a Baptist chapel in Chichester, and thence successively to Down- end in 1800, and to Frome in 1804 ; but though his preaching was powerful, it made little or no impression on the popular mind. While at Frome he first published his celebrated " Es- says," and also became the principal contribu- tor to the " Eclectic Review," the articles for which (185 in number) formed his almost ex- clusive literary labor for 13 years. In 1817 he returned to Downend, where he wrote his " Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance," in which he gives an appalling description of the barbarism prevailing in the lower classes of the English population. His health failing, he then employed himself chiefly in preparing works for the press, though preaching at inter- vals until his death. He was a profound thinker and a powerful writer. His remaining books are : " Contributions, Biographical, Literary, and Philosophical, to the Eclectic Review " (2 vols. 8vo, 1840) ; "Lectures delivered at Broad- mead chapel, Bristol " (1st series, 1844 ; 2d se- ries, 1847) ; and " Introductory Essay to Dod- dridge's Rise and Progress " (1847). The " Life and Correspondence of Foster " (2 vols. 8vo), edited by J. E. Ryland, was published in 1846. FOSTER, John Wells, an American geologist and archaeologist, born at Brimfield, Mass., in 1815, died in Chicago, June 29, 1873. He graduated at Wesleyan university, Middletown, Conn., in 1835, and one year later removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar. He assisted in the geological survey of the state of Ohio, begun in 1837, and made a report on the central district, with a detailed section of the carboniferous limestone near Columbus, to the uppermost bed of coal near Wheeling. This was the first section ever made through the Ohio coal field. In 1845 he visited the Lake Superior copper region in the interest of several mining companies, and two years later was an assistant in the government survey of that territory. He was associated in this work with Prof. J. D. Whitney, and after 1849 the completion of the survey was left to them. "Foster and Whitney's Report on the Lake Superior Region," published by congress, is still the highest authority on this subject. He subsequently resided in Massachusetts a few years, and in 1855 was a candidate for congress in the 10th district. In 1858 he removed to Chicago. During his geological expeditions he collected a vast amount of matter not strictly pertinent to the task in hand, which he com- piled and published under the title of " The Mississippi Valley" (8vo, Chicago and London, 1869). He also spent much time in studying the mounds and other evidences of ancient races in the Mississippi valley, and the result