4 Coral Animals in the 



power of protruding and withdrawing itself, and also of 

 secreting and ejecting a milk-like fluid, apparently for the 

 purpose of forming its habitation, is a distinct, but not a 

 separate animal. 



It is known that some of the zoophyta multiply life by 

 throwing out animated bx'anches, or polypes, which possess 

 the power of spontaneous motion, and of thi'owing out new 

 shoots in their turn. 



These shoots, or branches, thus possessing the powers 

 of the original animal, may be said to be distinct although 

 not separate. 



It is from a consideration of the preceding observations 

 respecting zoophytic animals, joined to what I have 

 observed and related respecting the animals now under 

 consideration, that I have formed the opinion above given, 

 viz. — that the animated points are distinct, yet not separate 

 animals. I think that they are shoots thrown out by the 

 original animal. — At any rate three or four of them were 

 found united to the general animal mass, after the carbo- 

 nate of lime had been separated by the process before 

 mentioned. 



One hundred grains of the coral yielded eight of animal 

 matter when perfectly dried. Small as this quantity 

 appears, it occupies a very large comparative space when 

 wet, and probably also in its living state. 



I regret that our engrossing duties did not admit of our 

 examining the animals before death. They died soon after 

 being taken from the sea, and when next looked at, which 

 was not until some time afterwards, were found to be 

 consolidated into their present coral state. 



Besides the animals which I have been speaking of, there 

 was a species of marine polypi on the surface of the coral 



