VOL. XLIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. §7 1 



as to resemble the great branched madrepora coral, especially as they are gene- 

 rally to be met with covering and inclosing the stem and branches of this stiff, 

 ramose fucus. Thus far Dr. Schlosser. 



Mr. John Ellis adds the following : 



Fig. A, pi. 16, expresses this alcyonium, surrounding the stem and branches 

 of a fucus. I have called it alcyonium carnosum asteriscis, radiis obtusis, 

 ornatum. Fig. b, part of a leaf of the common alga, or sea-grass, with 4 of 

 these starry figures on it. Fig. c, one of the stars magnified. Fig. d repre- 

 sents the fucus, on which it grows, which I cannot find any where de- 

 scribed. I have entitled it, in my collection of English fucuses, by the follow- 

 ing descriptive name, fucus teres frutescens, germinibus arborum gemmas 

 fructiferas referentibus. 



I have had an opportunity lately of examining this curious, fleshy, coral-like 

 figure in the microscope, and find that all the interstices between the stars are 

 filled with eggs of different sizes, each adhering by one end to a very fine capil- 

 lary filament. The smallest eggs are globular, and as they advance in size, they 

 change to an oval figure ; whence they assume the shape of one of the radii of 

 the stars. In several of these stars I have observed a smaller radius, as it were, 

 endeavouring to get into the circle ; and notwithstanding their seeming connec- 

 tion in the centre as one animal, I believe I shall soon be able to show you, 

 in a drawing from the microscope, that each radius is a distinct animal by itself. 



t 

 LXII. Two Singular Cases of Diseased Knee-joints Successfolly Treated. The 



first by Topical Applications ; the second by Operation. By Mr. Joseph 

 Warner, F.R.S. p. 452. 



The species of tumors here meant, are those which are distinguished by the 

 name of hydrops articuli, or the dropsy of the joint; of which Mr. W, observes, 

 there are 2 different kinds. The one where the disease is situated in the mem- 

 brana adiposa, and neighbouring parts on this side the capsular ligament. The 

 other is that species of disease, where the fluid is contained within the capsular 

 ligament, between the extremities of the thigh-bone, and the largest bone of 

 the leg. The first species of tumor may be distinguished from the 2d by the 

 touch ; from the appearance of the tumor of the first kind, which is pale and 

 uniform ; from a want of fluctuation, and from the little or no pain attending 

 it. The repeated use, for some weeks, of emollient fomentations, mercurial 

 frictions, and gentle purges, has often been known to remove this disorder. At 

 other times it has been found, that these applications have had little or no effect, 

 but that the disease has given way to, and been totally removed by the use of 

 perpetual blisters to the part affected ; which should, in most instances, be con- 

 tinued for several weeks. At other times Mr. W. has known the Pisselaeon In- 



