G O R G O N I A. 73 



larger Gorgonias, we frequently meet with layers or 

 calcareous matter inclofed between the circles, which is 

 evidently nothing elfe but the decayed fiefh of the ani- 

 mal, which has been covered and inclofed by the fubfe- 

 quent growth of the fame animal. This is totally different 

 from any thing that we know of in the growth of trees. 



To explain the difference between the concentric cir- 

 cles in a crofs feclion of the horny part of a Gorgonia, and 

 thofe of wood, I have given in plate 2. fig. 6. 7. a figure 

 of a crofs and upright fedtion of a piece of wood (lignum 

 fantalum) magnified to mew the utricular veflels, that 

 interweave the upright longitudinal veflels, proceeding 

 horizontally from the pith in the center through all the 

 circles to the bark on the outfide. In the fame plate, at 

 fig. 2. 3. is a horizontal feclrion of a Gorgonia cerato- 

 phyta, where the feveral waved laminae are feen adhering 

 together, but no appearance of crofs fibres. 



Dr. Donati, who was remarkably careful in examining 

 the Red Coral, or Gorgonia pretiofa, tells us in the Phi- 

 lofophical Tranfadtions, Vol. 47. pag. 97. " That he has 

 obferved tranfverfe fedtions of fome pieces of this Co- 

 ral, which exhibit different lines, or annual bands, 

 whereof one part is of a rofe color, others yellowifh, 

 others white, and others more or lefs charged with co- 

 <{ lor, which form concentric circles like the coats of an 

 " onion." 



It is evident from hence, that there can be no circula- 

 tion of juices, or the colors would have been the fame. 

 It is not improbable that thofe different colors may be 

 owing to the difference of food at particular feafons ; for 

 we know that thofe animals with polype-like mouths on 

 their flefhy outrides have their appointed feafons of grow- 

 ing, which happen when they find more plenty of food 



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