cafe or tube, accompanying the ramifications of theif 

 bodies, and ferving to defend them from the numerous 

 difafters to which they would otherwife be liable, if 

 left naked in the tumultuous element in which they 

 are deftined to refide. 



They adhere to rocks, Ihells, &c. by creeping pro- 

 Genres, which bear the appearance of fpreading roots, 

 and thus contribute ftill farther to their plant-like ali- 

 ped:. The oval bodies which are fo frequently fcen 

 feated at the bafes of the lateral branches, are fuppofed 

 by Mr. Ellis to be the ovaries of the animal, contain- 

 ing the eggs, and fometimes the completely-formed 

 young. The fpecies of Sertularia are extremely nume- 

 rous, and are very common. 



The fpecies here figured we have copied from the 

 works of Mr. Ellis, as it ferves to fhew in the clearer! 

 and moft diftinct manner poffible, the feveral particu- 

 lars of the fuppofed ftructure. The animal part like a 

 medulla or pith, is every where feen through the franf- 

 parent horny coat ; and at every denticulation of the 

 branches it is protruded in the form of a polype-head 

 with its tentacula. The fuppofed ovaries are lituated 

 in the axillae of the branches. The Sertulariae, like the 

 frefh-water polypes, prey on fuch fmall animalcules as 

 happen to fall in the way of their tentacula. 



Fig. l. 

 Fig. 2. 



reprefents the animal in its natural fize, 

 lliews it magnified by a microfcope. 



