364 Mr. Hatchett's Experiments on Zoophytes, 



Lastly, the Gorgonia which I have described as very much 

 resembling the Gorgonia Antipathes, proved to be similar to that 

 species, as to the membranaceous part ; but so large a portion of 

 phosphate of lime was mixed with it, as almost to approach it 

 to the nature of stag's or buck's horn ; there is, therefore, great 

 reason to consider it as a different species. 



The Antipathes, which were next examined, were found to 

 be little if at all different from the horny stems of the Gorgonia. 

 And the various Sponges, which were afterwards subjected to 

 experiment, were proved to be completely formed by the same 

 membranaceous or horny substance, which became varied by 

 the modifications of a more delicate construction, rather than by 

 any essential difference in composition. 



This series of experiments terminated with an examination 

 of a few species of Alcyonium, namely, asbestinum, Ficns, and 

 arboreum ; all of which were found to be composed of a soft, 

 flexible, membranaceous substance, very similar to the cortical 

 part of some of the Gorgonia, (such as Gorgonia suberosa,) and 

 in like manner slightly hardened by carbonate, mixed with a 

 small portion of phosphate of lime. 



From what has been said, there is reason to conclude, that 

 the varieties of bone, shell, coral, and the numerous tribe of 

 Zoophytes with which the last are connected, only differ in 

 composition by the nature and quantity of the hardening or 

 ossifying principle, and by the state of the substance with 

 which it is mixed, or connected. For the gluten or jelly which 

 cements the particles of carbonate or phosphate of lime, and 

 the membrane, cartilage, or horny substance, which serves as a 

 basis, in and upon which the ossifying matter is secreted and 

 deposited, seem to be only modifications of the same substance, 



