492 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1754. 



sita; and by Doody, in Ray's Synopsis, ed. 2, fruticulus elegans geniculatus 

 cirris obsitus. Letter c expresses a branch of this coraUine magnified ; where 

 you may observe, on each capillary side-branch, rows of small polypes, each 

 with 8 tentacula, or claws, rising out of little sockets. The upper division or 

 tube of these little branches, as at b, appears full of joints, one to each polype ; 

 but they could easily perceive that all the polypes were connected together, and 

 communicate with the principal stem, or body, which is inclosed in the middle 

 tube. The under small tube of the capillary side-branch at c, which runs pa- 

 rallel with the upper one b, and adheres to it, appeared clear, hollow, and 

 jointed. 



This coralline arises from a tuft of small irregularly-matted tubes, like a sponge 

 growing to an oyster-shell, as at g; the smaller branches e are inserted in circles 

 round the larger branch f, at equal distances, like the plant called horsetail, or 

 equisetum. As they were observing these corallines, they perceived, on one of 

 them, a different-shaped polype, which pushed itself out of a small funnel-shaped 

 pipe : this was inserted in a cell, whose brim or border was surrounded by little 

 spines. These cells composed that spongy rough matter, which incrusts almost 

 all marine substances, but chiefly fucuses. Fig. 4 represents these cells on a 

 fucus ; letter d expresses the cells and polypes, with 1 1 tentacula to each, as 

 they appear magnified ; where the animals are seen raising and expanding them- 

 selves. When they are disturbed, they draw themselves within their sheath or 

 pipe, which closes on them, and sink together into their cells. 



The curious denticulated coralline* at N" 5, has very much the appearance of a 

 plant, at first view, even when it is magnified, as at e. This gave a further 

 corroborating proof, that these extraordinary species of beings are animals : for 

 they observed that the smaller polypes, that extend themselves out at the open- 

 ing of every opposite denticle, or little projecting tube, are united at the bottom, 

 or lower part, to the fleshy substance of the main body, that passes through the 

 middle of each branch, or stem, and are so many dififerent bodies united in one ; 

 acting like so many sets of hands, placed in form of a circle, collecting food, 

 each for a mouth in the centre, to convey nourishment to so many stomachs, 

 which are fixed in the swelling part, or bottom, of each denticle. This great 

 supply of nourishment from all sides, gives that great increase, and variety of 

 ramifications, to this wonderful class of many-bodied animals. 



Besides these small polypes, which compose the branches, these corallines send 

 forth, from several parts, many vesicles, of different shapes, at certain seasons 

 of the year, according to their different species. These vesicles are protruded 

 from the outer skin or horny covering of these branched polypes, and from the 



* Serlularia rosacea. Linn. 



