34 Natural Hiftory of 



which are elegantly difpofed one above another, as in the up- 

 per Part of the fame Figure, N°. i. at <^. When we examine^ 

 it by the Microfcope, we find that each Branch is fubdivided 

 in a twofold or dichotomous manner ; and each Dinfion of 

 a Branch compofed of two Rows of Cells of a femi-cylindri- 

 cal Form, articulated together, and placed alternately Side 

 by Side, their Faces or Openings looking one Way : Each 

 Cell has a fharp Point on the Top, ftanding outward ; and 

 a black Spot in the Middle. Upon other Specimens I ob- 

 ferved fraall teftaceous Figures on the upper Part of each 

 Cell. 



Fig. J, fhews the magnified Appearance of the fmall 

 Tubes, pa fling into the unopened Cells which form the 

 Stalk ; from this arife the dichotomous Branches, with the 

 Cells open, and black Spots in them. 5, fhews the te- 

 ftaceous Spherules on the Top of each Cell. At 6", is a crofs 

 Sedion of a Branch, to fhew the hollow Infide of the Cells. 

 Z), fhews the upright Sedion of 3 Cells, with the Situation 

 of the black Spots. 



Thefe black Spots are nothing but the dead Polypes, or 

 Remains of the Animals, once inhabiting thefe Cells. Of 

 which I had evident Proof in my laft Journey to the Sea-coaft. 

 For after I had examined this CoraUine, with its Polypes 

 alive in Sea-water (See £, Plate XVIII). I laid this Speci- 

 men afide ; and, upon examining it again fome time after, 1 

 found the lifelefs contraded Animals exhibited the Appear- 

 ance above-mentioned. 



Thefe Polypes turning into teftaceous Bodies, opened a 

 new Scene of Wonder to me. But the Minutenefs of thefe 

 fhelly Figures would have been pafled over, without any fur- 

 ther Notice, if it had not been for a Prefent I received from 



my 



