66 Natural Hiftory 



to the Circumference, among the compreffed longitudinal 

 Tubes and Veflels of thefe Keratophyia ; fo that the Vifci- 

 dity, derived from the Animals, feems to be the chief Caufe 

 of thcfe Tubes uniting lo clofely together \ for in fome par- 

 ticular Specimens from the hotteftClimate^ they form a Body 

 much harder than Wood, efpecially after they are become 

 very dry. 



If we examine the ftony red Coral of the Mediterranean 

 Sea, we fhall find a great Affinity between it and the Kera- 

 tophyta^ in Texture, and chemical Produdions ; only the 

 Ramifications are very fliort, and the Tubes turn to Stone 

 inftead of Horn. But if we confider the Courfe of the Tubes 

 in each, the Manner of their furrounding the Stem, aug- 

 menting its Circumference and that of the . Branches, its 

 rough, friable, bark-like Surface, together with the ftarry 

 Openings of the Cells, we muft think they are not far re- 

 moved from each other, in the great Scale of Nature. 



"We frequently meet with Specimens among the reticu- 

 lated Keratophyta^ where the Animals, in their Progrcfs up 

 the Stems and Branches, pafs with their Tubes over, and in.- 

 clofe, fmall Shells, and other extraneous Bodies. 



Something of the fame kind is found in the Progrefs of the 

 Animals, that form the red Coral, the Tubes of thefe are 

 often found furrounding, and fpread upon a great Variety of 

 Subftances. 



As many of the Sea-plants, I mean thofe that are undoubt- 

 edly of a vegetable Nature, difcoverfome kind ofSeed-veflels, 

 we fhould naturally expert they would be manifeft enough on 

 the largeft kind of this Tribe of Sea-produdlions ; for we have 

 been informed, from very good Authority, that, upon the 

 Coafl of Norway^ fome of thefe Species have been feen ta 



extend 



