Book IX. Wlandof BARBADOS. 
ONE) 
) eas Zi" 
Cows Ree Ak oS 
HOUGKH thefe, in general, are Vegetables < yet we are not to look 
upon them among the loweft Clafs of this Kind, becaufe they bear, 
at leaft here, neither Leaves, Flowers, nor Fruit, having likewife their Con- 
fiftences fo brittle, that they are neither malleable, nor any ways pliable : 
However, theit innumerable Shoots and Branches are not void of Beauty, 
nor ufelefs in medicinal Preparations ; the white Sort being, when pul- 
verized, efteemed good to free the Stomach from acid four Juices; and 
the red Coral is not lefs efficacious’ in ftopping Fluxes: From the 
Growth of thefe, we may likewife obferve, that Providence is not tied 
down in its Operations to mechanical Rules: For among Vegetables, 
which flourith upon the the Surfaceof theEarth, all our Art and Contrivance 
are in vain, unlefs we can procure them either natural or artificial Heat, 
and a Communication of Air ; whereas thefe grow to a great Length in 
above forty Fathom Water, where the Heat of the Sun cannot penetrate. 
I fhall begin the Defcription of Corals with that called the Harts 
horn Coral. 
The SeA-Gincer, or the PALMED Harts-HoRN. 
| eee is a digitated Sea-Coral, and is called Ginger from its very 
hot Quality ; for if a Piece, newly broken, be apply’d to the Tongue, 
it taftes exceffively hot. It is found in great Plenty upon the Shores in 
the land of Antigua, as well as among many other Places upon the Pe= 
Lican fboal in this Iland. 
This is delineated in Plate XXVII. Fig. 2. 
Thé 
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