158 SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



!ur laminrt?, or pillars converging to the centre, which it be* 

 gan to erect; these when raised to a certain height, appear- 

 ing to have been connected together by a horizontal plate 

 of the same substance. On these the animal erected simi- 

 lar pillars, and placed on these a covering similar to that 

 v-ith which he had completed the first compartment. Thus 

 seems to have proceeded the incessant labours of the minute 

 artist : and as the number of its legs, or instruments, in- 

 creased, and as they extended in length, so must the num- 

 ber of the perpendicular laminse, and the circumference of 

 the horizontal plates have also augmented. Thus must this 

 curious fabric have derived its fashion from the growth and 

 form of this minute and wonderful animal. 



That the formation of these turbinated madrepores may 

 have been thus effected does not appear difficult to conceive. 

 Neither is it difficult to understand, that when the animal 

 had attained its full extent of growth, the continuance of its 

 labours would produce, not a body of a conical, but of a 

 cylindrical form. Nor does it appear unlikely, that should 

 any accidental circumstance change its horizontal position, 

 a proportional deflection from 1he straight line would be 

 occasioned ; and a coralline body of a curved form be pro- 

 duced. Specimens of both these forms, it has been just 

 remarked, are frequently found. 



Reports of the THE long expected Reports of the Preventive Medical 

 M e J]icalTn- Institution at Bristol, have been left by the late Dr. Bed- 

 »tituation. does in some degree of forwardness. They will be com- 

 pleted and published as soon as possible, by Mr. King and 

 Dr. Hook. The former of these gentlemen has been Sur- 

 geon to the Institution from its first commencement, and 

 the latter has been connected with it since the month of 

 March, 1804. 

 Life of Dr. Dr. Hook is likewise about to publish a Life, &c. of Dr. 



Beddoes, with the approbation of his family and friends. 



Beddoes. 



Commercial Mr. JOHN CLENNELL, late of Newcastle, has un- 

 Magazine. dertaken the editorship of the Tradesman, or Commercial 



Magazine. 



