102 



. 

 jecture, as to theuseof these fibres, is well founded. In cutting with 



a pair of scissars a recent alcyonium, which in many respects resem- 

 bled the present fossil, and which he calls the Sea Orange, (Alcyoniuni 

 bursa, Linn.) he remarks, that he perceived a motion in every part of 

 it as if it were alive*. On tracing these filaments, many of them may 

 be seen passing to the surface, on which, after ramifying, they are so 

 disposed as to embrace the whole mass. 



The fossil zoophytes we shall next examine appear to be of a diffe- 

 rent species from those last described : the difference chiefly existing 

 in the retiform disposition of the filaments surrounding the alcyonic 

 mass. Like those of the former species, these fossils are formed entirely 

 of silicious matter, and appear to have been found in gravel. It is evi- 

 dently to one of these bodies that the following description from Dr. 

 Woodward applies : 



" C. 252. A greyish brown flint of an obtuse conic figure ; an inch 

 in diameter at the base, and about three-fourths of an inch in height. 

 In the middle of the base is a round flat, about four-tenths of an inch 

 over, and somewhat raised above the rest of the base. The whole 

 surface besides is very rough, being thick set with very small pores, 

 excepting certain smooth ridges that run into one another, so as to 

 constitute an elegant reticulated work upon it. Found near Rumford, 

 in Essex f/' 



On inspecting the fossil figured, Plate IX.. Fig. 9 it will be found to 

 correspond so exactly with the foregoing description, as to require no 

 other. The figure, here given, serves to furnish a tolerably correct idea 

 of the external appearance which this species of fossil in general pre- 

 sents. 



From theappearance yielded by the section of this fossil, as shewn 



* Histoire Physique de la Mer, *">. 80. 



f An Attempt towards a Natural History of the Fossils of England, by J. Woodward, 

 M.D. Vol.1. Part I. 'p. 51. 



