(^6 Natural Hiftory of 



c H A p. V. 

 Of the Keratophyta. 



N'EXT in Order to the Corallines, may be ranked the 

 Frutices coralioides, or Sea-flirubs ; now more gene- 

 rally known among Naturaliih by the different Appellations 

 oi Lithophyta^ Lithoxyla^ or Keratophyta , Epithets intended to 

 convey an Idea of their Compofition, which, at firft View, 

 feems to confift partly of a woody or horny, partly of a 

 ftony or calcareous, Subftance, varioufly difpofed with refpedl 

 to each other. 



The general Form of thefe Bodies approaches to that of 

 Shrubs, l>aving a Root- like Bafe, by which they adhere to 

 fome folid Support in the Ocean ; and a Stem or Trunk, 

 and Branches differently difpofed ; fome riling up in one or 

 more diflind Twigs, and thefe fubdivided into fmaller and 

 feparate Ramifications ; while others have their fmaller 

 Branches connedted in fuch a manner, as to form a curious 

 Net-like Strudlure : From this Diverfity of Figure, and ex- 

 ternal Appearance, they commonly borrow the Names, by 

 which they are known in the Cabinets of the Curious, as Sea- 

 Fans, Feathers, and the like. 



But as it is not my Deiign to write an exprefs Treatife on 

 this Subjed:, I fhall only obferve, That moft of thefe Kerato- 

 phyta when perlect, if their Strudure is carefully examined, 

 exhibit the following Appearances : 



Firjij A woody kind of Bafe or Root, which either ftill 

 adheres, or fhews that it has adhered, to fome folid Body, as 

 Rocks, Corals, large Shells, or the like, 



2 View 



