73 



plainly seen that these bodies are formed of fine, and very closely 

 united concentric lamellae. 



Most of the circumstances here mentioned may be noticed in Fig. 4* 

 whilst from Fig. 2, some notion may be gained of the form, which the 

 coral would assume by its ramification. Fig. 7> represents a small 

 calcareous mass, from the Siculean mountains, formed chiefly of the 

 fragments of this coral. Remains of this species of fossil are also 

 found at Calne, in Wiltshire, in a light yellow coloured lime-stone. 



It is only possible to form very vague conjectures respecting the 

 form which this coral originally bore, and the recent species which it 

 might have the nearest resembled ; since, by having been deprived of 

 the soft porous and cellular flesh with which it was invested, and which 

 was the habitation of the polype (hydra) peculiar to it, its form must 

 have been exceedingly changed. From the great plenty in which 

 this fossil has been found in Sicily and other parts, there is every 

 reason for supposing the coral, from which, it derived its origin, must 

 have existed in considerable quantity. 



I do not know that the remains of any individual of the genus AN.~ 

 TJPATHES have been discovered in a mineralized state. Nor do I 

 know of any species of the GOIIG.ONIA, similar to any now existing, 

 having been found, that had suffered that change. 



In the Dudley lime-stone, and in the lime-stone of St. Peter's 

 Mountain, is a vast variety of minute; inileed of almost microscopic 

 substances, which very much resemble some of the reticulated gorgo- 

 nise; but which perhaps would with more propriety be considered 

 as corallines But to illustrate the nature of these substances would 

 require so. many additional engravings as puts me under the necessity 

 of deferring their investigation. 



We now arrive at a series of specimens, which bear so little analogy 

 with either the recent or fossil corals, that it appeared to be ex- 

 ceedingly difficult to determine in what part of this Work they 

 should find a place, Indeed, so slight is the circumstance which has 



VOL. II. L 



