the whole coral, throughout all its ramifications, is marked 

 externally by longitudinal ftrice proceeding from the 

 very bafe itfelf. It muft be candidly confeffed that a 

 good (hare of philofophical faith is necefiary to reconcile 

 us to the idea of all the coral tribe being entirely the 

 work of animals : yet as we cannot prefume to contro- 

 vert the well-known obfervations of Mr. Ellis, we Hi all 

 leave our readers to their own opinions, and at perfect 

 liberty to regard thefe curious fubftances either as be- 

 longing to the animal or vegetable kingdom, to both 

 of which they feem to be ftrangely allied. It is necef- 

 fary to obferve that the fp.ecimens of red coral as gene- 

 rally feen, have, in order to increafe the beauty of their 

 appearance, been deprived of their cortical or exterior 

 coat. A branch in its natural Mate, or with irs exterior 

 coat, is reprefented %tm. 2. in the annexed plate. 



