MISCELLANEOUS. 83 



(4.) Cellepora iris. — Plate XXVI. Figs. 5, 6. — Various Cellepores, 

 as well as many other subjects, occur in the course of research, to which, 

 without finding them in a living and perfect state, in different stages, and 

 of different dimensions, the observer is unable to assign their proper 

 place. 



It must be also taken in view, that while the orifice of the cell is ap- 

 parently circular to the naked eye, or under moderate enlargement, it will 

 be found rugged and irregular under powerful magnifiers. 



The same remarks apply to the aspect and the arrangement of the 

 component parts of the whole surface of almost all the calcareous zoo- 

 phytes. 



The subject here represented is of solid compact substance, in form 

 rudely resembling an Iris. 



Plate XXVI. Fig. 5. Cellepora iris. 



6. The same, enlarged. 



Membranipora Pilosa. — Plate XVIII. Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 



21, 22. — Perhaps the true place of this zoophyte is between the Lepralia 

 and the Cellepora. 



Nature is so far from exhibiting uniformity and regularity in all her 

 works, as many are prone to conclude, that this opinion proves applicable 

 only to general resemblance. Though the naturalist may presume on the 

 identical genus, or the identical species of two different subjects, it is 

 often vain to attempt either uniting or separating them with confidence, 

 unless through the medium of many intervening auxiliaries. He is con- 

 founded by some trivial or apparent discrepancies of structure. Specimens 

 have undergone such extraordinary mutilations, that experience alone, nor 

 always that, can determine or conjecture what may be their real forma- 

 tion. Thus, a series of perplexities, such as repeatedly alluded to, ensue, 

 and never to greater extent, nor in greater frequency, than among the 

 calcareous zoophytes. 



