Introduction. 



Thefe veficulary Polypes, as foon as they arrive at Matu- 

 rity fall off, and with them moft of the Veiicles difappear. 



In fome of the celliferoiis Corallines, which branch out 

 in an elegant Manner, we obferve, that the fmall Polypes in 

 the Cells acquire a te'ftaceous Covering, like little Snails, as 

 at Fig. E and By in Plate XVIII. and at Fig. A, in Plate 

 XIX. 



Thefe little Shell-fifh, we may fuppofe, grow larger ; and, 

 in their mature State, may depolite on Rocks, Fucus s^ and 

 Shells, fuch curioufly implicated Matrices or Ovaries, which, 

 in time, may unfold and extend themfelves into thofe many 

 beautiful Tree- like Forms that we find them in. 



The Matrices of fome Kind of Shell-fifh are fo remark- 

 able for their Plant-like Form, that many People have taken 

 them for Vegetables at fir ft Sight. See Fig. «, Plate XXXIII. 



In order therefore to be more fully fatisfied, in refpe£l to 

 the Nature of a Species of Beings hitherto almoft unknown, 

 I took a Journey in Auguft laft 1754, along the Northern 

 Shore of the County of Kent^ in Company with Dodor Oeder^ 

 a very curious and ingenious Phyfician, Profeffor of Botany 

 to the King of Dentnarh 



At Whitjlahhy I employed fome Fifhermen to colled: 

 what Varieties they could of thefe fubmarine Bodies. Among 

 many other things they brought me feveral irregular Pieces 

 of a flefhy Subftance, fticking to Shells, called by them, 

 Deadman's Toes. It is defcribed in Ray\ Sy?20pfis, by the 

 Name of Alcyonium ramofo'digitatiim ?mlle afterifcis imdiqua- 

 que ornatmn. A fmall Piece of it is reprefented in its natu- 

 ral Form, at Letter ^, Plate XXXII. and a Part of it mag- 

 nified at Letter A. 



b 2 Thefe 



