P4 Natural Hiftory 



different Directions, (o as to look like Stumps, or fhort 

 Branches of fome n^arine Shrub petrified. 



In fome Specimens, which I have before me, many of the 

 Tubuli are to be feen creeping, as it were, together over 

 Pieces of White Coral, and varying their Directions, accord- 

 ing to the Oppofition they meet with in their Progrefs. 



B'Jt thefe we find comprefled and flirunk ; and, no doubt 

 it is the fame on the main Branches, The Tubulin being 

 compofcd of cretaceous Matter, mixt with a vifcid animal 

 Subftance, fhrink in and become folid, as their Inhabitants 

 defert them ; that is, thefe different component Particles, 

 flrongly attracting each other, become hard like Cement 

 made of animal Seniui and Terras. 



When the Specimens are recent, we find them covered 

 over vvitli a red mealy Subftance, which looks like a Bark to 

 the Coral; but, upon examining it narrowly, we find many 

 Star-like Cavities on this Surface (See Fig. a., p. 35). and, 

 upon raifing up the mealy Subftance, we find thefe Stars 

 have a Communication with the Tubes underneath. If 

 we view the Points of the Branches, we may fee evident 

 Marks of the Ends of Tubes, as at Fig. £•, Plate XXXV. 



And further, if we examine the laft inclofing Series of Tu- 

 bulin that have rofe up, and encompafl'ed the Coral, we fliall 

 find them of a yellowifli Colour, and not folid like thofe in 

 the inner Part. Thefe the Coral-Fifhers find full of a milky 

 Juice, which is no more than the tender Bodies o£ the Ani- 

 mals. 



The Star-like Cavities, no doubt, receive their Figure 

 from the Claws of certain Polypes, which, we may naturally 

 conclude, are the Builders, as well as the Inhabitantsj of 

 this beautiful Fabrick. 



The 



