C 4- 28 ] 
XL I. An Account of the ASlinia Sociata , 
or Clujlered Animal-flower , lately found 
on the Sea-Coafls of the new-ceded IJlands : 
In a Letter from John Ellis, Ef quire , 
F. R. S. to the Right Honourable the 
Earl of Elillfborough, F. R. S. 
My Lord, 
Read Nov. i2, MONG the many curious ma- 
_/ \ rine animals, which your Lord- 
Chip has received from the new-ceded iflands in the 
Weft-Indies, there is one moft uncommonly rare : 
this is of great confequence to natural hiftory, as it 
feems to bring together two remarkable genera in 
the fyftem of nature, which Profeffor Linnaeus had 
removed far from each other. 
The one is the Adtinia or Animal flower, the other 
the Hydra or Frefh-water polype. 
The Adtinia, called by old authors, as Aldrovan- 
dus, Johnfton, &c. Urtica marina, from its fuppofed 
property of flinging, is now more properly called by 
fome late Englifh authors the Animal flower. This 
name feems well adapted to it ; for the claws, or 
tentacles, being difpofed in regular circles, and 
tinged with a variety of bright lively colours, very 
nearly reprefent the beautiful petals of fome of our 
moft elegantly fringed and radiated flowers, fuch as 
the Carnation, Marygold, and Anemone. As there 
are 
