f 3°7 ] 
oppofite grooves. Upon putting a thin /having of 
it into vinegar, a flrong effervefcence was immedi- 
ately raifed, which diffolved the gritty or coralline part, 
and difcovered the fine membranes that inclofed it. 
Thefe two fubftances feem tocompofe this bony ivory 
or coral-like item. 
The difpofition of the polypes, with regard to one 
another, is reprefented by a crofs fe&ion in the ad- 
joining plate ( fee Tab. XII.) ; where you will ob- 
ferve, that io occupy the outward circle, 9 are in 
the next, and 4 are in the center. 
I have learned lately from Mr. Duntze, the gentle- 
man, who prefented you with this great curiofity, the 
following account of it : 
That it was taken in the latitude of 79 degrees 
north j which is within 1 1 degrees of the pole, and 
80 Englifh miles from the coaft of Greenland, by 
Captain Adriaanz, commander of the Britannia, while 
He was on the whale-fifhery laft fummer. The cap- 
tain founding one day in very deepwater 2 36 fathom, 
two of them clung to his line. He fays the arms or 
tentaculi of the polypes were of a bright yellow co- 
lour, and fully extended, when he brought them to 
the furface of the water ; and made a mod agreeable 
figure, like a fine full-blown flower, which the cap- 
tain took them for. 
I muft further obferve, that the Encrinos , or Liluim 
lapideum of the curious in foflils, fo little known be* 
fore, is thought to be of this clafs. I am, 
S I R, 
]London,Nov. 8. 
*753- Your mod obedient humble fervant, 
John Ellis. 
Qjj 2 - Reference 
