16 



Indeed, considering that, in the experiments of Mr. Hatchett, even 

 the recent tubipore lost its colour, and only demonstrated some loose, 

 particles of a tender membrane, I regarded it as almost hopeless to 

 attempt to detect any animal matter, in a fossil body, which must 

 have existed, in a mineralized state, several thousand years ; but as 

 the result, if successful, would prove highly interesting, I resolved 

 on the experiment. 



A fragment of the marble, Plate I. Fig. 2, was therefore exposec} 

 to the action of the muriatic acid, in a very diluted state. As the 

 calcareous earth dissolved, and the carbonic acid gas escaped, I 

 was much pleased to observe the membranaceous substance appear, 

 depending from the marble, in light, flocculent, elastic membranes. 

 Many of these, most unexpectedly, retained a very deep red colour, 

 and appeared in a beautiful and distinct manner, although not abso- 

 lutely retaining the form of the tubipore. A faithful representation 

 of this preparation is given, Plate I. Fig. 3. 



Tubipora Strues, as described by Linnaeus *, appears to agree exactly 

 with the fossil from Westmoreland, Plate II. Fig. 1. Like that tubi- 

 pore, it is formed of diverging tubes, which are connected by single 

 tubules passing in a horizontal direction from one tube to another; 

 but at much greater distances than either in the tubipora musica, or in 

 the fossil last described. 



In this specimen, the tubes are seen diverging and bending *heir 

 course in different ways. The tubes are all filled with calcareous 

 matter, so that their terminations generally present the appearance of 

 a projecting body: in some few only, are the vestiges of an opening 

 discernible. The external surfaces of the tubes lias a scabrous appear- 

 ance, very much unlike the smooth surfaces of the recent tubipores. 



* T. tubis distantibus divergentibus liberis posterius seepius flexis : tubulis minoribus 

 simplicibus horizontalibus coijibinatis. Sy sterna Naturae, Linnsei. 1788. Tom. IV. P. 3755. 



