INTRODUCTION. 43 
Kent, that he might examine these marine productions in 
their native locality, more especially those respecting which 
he was doubtful, taking with him his microscope, and a 
skilful artist to prepare figures of the objects examined. 
On examining them in sea-water, very soon were his doubts 
dissipated, and he became thoroughly convinced that what 
had been regarded as plants were nothing else than the 
nests of animals, which he saw alive and which protruded 
from the cells in which they were enclosed, organs like 
little branches or filaments. 
In June, 1754, Mr. Ellis went to the coast of Sussex, 
taking with him Mr. Ehret, to sketch figures of whatever 
the microscope enabled them to discover. He sent an ac- 
count of this excursion, along with the figures, to the Royal 
Society, who honoured the whole with their approbation. 
In plate 9, for instance, he gives a very good figure, of the 
natural size, of Antennularia antennina, and also one of its 
branches magnified such as they saw it in the water by the 
aid of the microscope; and in this are seen the polypes, 
sending from their cells their tentacula in the form of little 
star-fish. In plate 29, also, there is a figure of Pustra 
foliacea of the natural size, with one of the polypes magni- 
fied. It was then also that he discovered the true nature and 
