110 



fossil. The figure of this alcyoniura,as given by the Count, is such as 

 would lead any one to say, that it bore a nearer resemblance to a cu- 

 cumber than to any thing else. At its inferior termination are several 

 projecting parts, which the Count describes as branches, but which, 

 as is shewn by the figure given by the Count, do not deserve such an 

 appellation; since, from their extending so trifling a distance from the 

 general surface, they can only be considered as protuberances, of 

 which many are to be found over the rest of the surface, having a de- 

 pression in their centre. Its interior part was hollow, the substance 

 consisting only of a coriaceous bark or shell, of an ashen grey, 

 mixed with a straw colour. When first taken out of the sea, it was 

 not filled with sea water, as the Count found was the case with the 

 sea oranges, but only contained a small portion of a glutinous mat- 

 ter. To preserve the specimen in his cabinet, the Count filled all the 

 cavity with cotton*: 



By comparing the account of the recent alcyonium with that which 

 I have given of the fossil, I trust that in their form, structure, and co- 

 lour, the resemblance will appear to be sufficient to authorise the be- 

 lief of their relationship. 



In some of my earliest researches in the gravel pits in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the metropolis, my attention had repeatedly been at- 

 tracted by a certain species of pebbles, which, from their general uni- 

 formity of character, I was convinced, must have owed their form to 

 either vegetable or animal organization. I therefore collected a con- 

 siderable number of them, hoping that, by frequently repeated exa- 

 mination and comparison, I might be enabled to form some probable 

 opinion respecting their origin : my endeavours, however, were by 

 no means productive of that satisfaction which I wished. 



These pebbles, Plate X. Fig. 14, 15, 16, in general approach to a 

 rounded conical form, one termination being wider than the other. 



* Histoire Physique dela Mer, Page 86, PL 15, n. 76, 77, 78. 



