A certain circulation, however, of all the waters in the ocean, to the greateft 
depths, is abfolutely neceffary to the exiftence of thofe animals which have a fixed 
refidence at the bottom : but this their general means of renewed life and nourilh- 
ment, fo indifpenfably requifite to the health and beauty of the innumerable orders 
of thefe living flowers, will continue for their prefcrvation, as long as the fun and 
moon endure, which are the caufes of it. 
The cafual arrangements of thefe beautiful and elegant ammals, and the.r habi- 
tations, have fomething in them extremely ornamental, intereftmg, and pleafan - 
the artlefs difpofition of the feveral abodes they occupy ; home fpr.ng.ng forth with 
infant life and tendernefs i others, through age, hardemng into l.felefs ftone and 
marble-yield endlefs fubjeas of fpeculation, and charming fpecimens of the won 
derful variety and change thac takes place among the works of Nature. 
The whole ftruSure of the Scolopenira, the texture of its tentacula, its manne 
of expanfion, and retreat into its fhell, have fuch affinity and refemblance to the 
form and operations of th tfmgular Polype of the firft Number, that they nee n 
be more particularly fpecified.-a and B are different views of the animal ; A, 1 
fucker magnified; C, a more particular expreffion of the fine fpecies of coral » 
and D merely exhibits the various wreathings of thefe fhells round each other, 
hering to a deferred cockle, and a ftone perforated by the pholas, EF, 
