[.286 ] 
of the fponge is covered with holes guarded with 
minute points like little fpines; the f^rface of the 
alcyonium with ftarry openings of eight rays, from 
whence the polype-hke fuckers are protruded, in or- 
der to hnd out proper nourifhment : and thefe ftarry 
openings m one, and the holes in the other, fo far 
correfpond, that in both kinds they are found of dif- 
terent hzes j but this is in proportion to the age of the 
branching tubes that come to the furface. 
fedions of the alcyonium you may plainly 
diftinguilh the reticulated elaftic fibres, that enclofe 
the tranfparent fiiff gelatinous part, as in the fponges: 
1^*^’ ^ c j fnbftance is of a firmer texture 
than what is found in fponges, it requires more pains 
to feparate it from the elaftic fibres; however, with 
a httle trouble it may be done fufficiently to evince 
what I have endeavoured to prove, I mean, the great 
proximity there is between the animal life of fponges 
and alcyoniums, and confequently that both are 
animals. 
Before I conclude, I muft endeavour to remove 
feme doubts, which feem to have diftrefled the Ge- 
nerality of curious perfons to account for ; the one 
IS, what occafions thofe very large holes that appear 
here and there irregularly on the furface of moft 
ponges the other is, how came thofe extraneous 
bodies, fuch as fmall thells, ftones, and even parts 
of fucufes, in the middle of thefe animal bodies ? In 
anfwer tothe firft upon cutting open and examining 
thefe bodies while recent in fea-water, as I havl 
fliewn before, we frequently find a variety of 
different .worms, who bore their way into them, and 
make their nefts and retreats there, or perhaps to live 
oa 
2 
