76 



in their longest diameters, and horizontally disposed, are connected 

 by processes nearly of the fineness of a hair, which pass from different 

 parts of each of these bodies, and are attached to the surrounding 

 ones : the whole of these bodies being thus held in connection. 



That the formation of these bodies has been the work of some 

 animal, of a nature similar to the polypes, by which the known 

 zoophytes are formed, cannot, I think, be doubted. But in what 

 genus in the order of zoophytes can they be admitted ? 



The specimen figured Plate VIII. Fig. 8, is a silicious pebble from 

 the Gravel-pits, at Hackney, bearing sufficient characteristic marks 

 to shew, that it may, with propriety, be classed with the specimens 

 which have been just described. A similarity of character is seen in 

 the slender processes by which the different parts of the coral are 

 connected together : but the similarity, in this respect, seems to point 

 out only its being of the same genus, whilst the want of rotundity in 

 its more solid parts, warrants the supposition that it is of a different 

 species. 



What the real difference is between these several specimens does 

 not, indeed, seem likely to be ascertained, until, by additional ob- 

 servations on other specimens, which are still farther illustrative, more 

 particulars can be obtained respecting this curious fossil, whose recent 

 analogue has not I believe been yet found. 



The silicious stone, represented Plate VIII. Fig. 12, is from Mr. 

 Strange's Collection, but whence obtained is not known. It is com- 

 posed of roundish, bodies .of different sizes; the largest, however, not 

 exceeding a quarter of an inch in diameter. These, by their section, 

 are shewn to have possessed a central round hollow, and to have had 

 their more solid surrounding part formed of a substance, which, being 

 now cut through, appears similar to the petals of a flower. What was 

 the original state of this substance is not easy to conceive; but from 

 the striae which pass from its periphery to the central cavity, it appears 



