of Corals, bfc. p7 



uniting of the Bodies, exhibited but a very confufed Ap- 

 pearance. 



When they were firft drawn up near the Surface of the 

 Water, the Animals were expanded ; and looked, as the 

 Captain obferved, like a Nofegay of bright yellow ftarry 

 Flowers (See Fig. A), 



Each diftindl Polype has eight Tentacular Claws, or Arms ; 

 each Arm is furnilfhed on both Sides with Rows of Fibres, 

 that feem to do the Office of Fingers. In the Centre of the 

 Arms, where they unite, is the Mouth, which is furniflied 

 with two ere6l indented or fcolloped Lips. 



Upon diflecling one of thefe Bodies length-ways. Fig. G, 

 I found many fmall Seed-like Particles, in the cellular Cavi- 

 ties of a ftrong wrinkled Mufcle, which compofed the whole 

 Leneth of the Inlide. Thefe were of the Size of thofe re- 

 prefented at Fig. /; and, upon being magnified, they ap- 

 peared of a compreffed orbicular Shape, as at Fig. JL \ and 

 may poiTibly be the Spawn of the Animal. 



From the lower Part N (See Fig. B\ the indented miif- 

 cular Bafe, where the Polypes all unite, proceeds a hollow 

 Bladder-like Membrane, Fig. M, which is kept extended 

 for about two or three Inches, by the flender, arched, and 

 twifted Top of the bony Stem, which is likewife inferted in 

 the Middle of the fame indented mufcular Bafe. 



This Bladder feems calculated, as well to raife or fink 

 the Animal at pleafure in the Sea, like the fwimming Blad- 

 ders of Fiflies, as to convey by this Chanel tlie neceflary 

 Materials, which the feveral different Bodies coiled for the 

 Support and Increafe of the long bony Stem, a Part that 



O feem& 



