CORALS and SPONGES. 
and B. b. are fpecimens of fponges. C. D. E. of corals. The work of 
*•* the moft furprizingly minute artificers in the creation, adhering to ftones 
fiiells, covered over with incruftations, formed by myriads of the coralline 
tribes. 
the bottom of the deep all nature is alive. Far as the fun’s influence can pe- 
^ etr ate the ocean, there are great variety of vegetables ; beyond the profpeCt opened 
y the loweft ebb, the rocks are cloathed with thefe, and they often extend many 
nflred yards into the main, more or lefs, in proportion to the depth of water. 
Wl thin a very few miles of thefe rocky fhores, the region of vegetation ends ; 
pother fcene of things feems to take place, and life is found pervading every fub- 
atlCe ' In thofe fields of life, where all animating principles are awake in full 
Co e ;§y> no production merely vegetable can long find a place ; they would foon be 
ere d over with incruftations formed by the innumerable orders of living crea- 
es which there fpread their habitations. Grant that the feeds of plants were 
at tered numerous as the particles of fand that fall from the friable rock, they 
11 d be inftantly devoured or choaked by the ever-fpreading encroachments of 
0 j. Cor alline webs. And alfo, if the feed fhould not be deftroyed by the energies 
1 n^ e Cora ^ race, they would be fwallowed up by Je/faLc and fcolopendra or at 
a their fhelly bindings would inevitably cut off the progrefs of the riling plant. 
t being before maintained, that the depths of the ocean are regions of perpetual 
t j^ n Ability it is now to be obferved, that they are indeed realms of life — that 
re the powers of vegetation can find no olace to unfold, and are therefore for 
* Ver ceafed. 
fupp 0rt 0 y a p fafts merit our firft and principal regard. In advancing 
are re ^ earc hes from the coaft, firft vegetables cloathed with life, fucceed to thofe that 
tVe ^ erfe< My inert ; at fome diftance beyond the range of thefe, no vegetable what- 
ls lound. Among all the variety of fubftances dredged up from forty and 
th ^ ^ t ^ om water, no organized forms are difcoverable void of life ; but they are 
^° r oughiy replenilhed with productions of moft elegant workmanlhip, which 
«, at,le life at every pore. “ The aCtive legions of thefe wonderful artificers, that 
« rt ^° r ever engaged in adorning their poffeflions in the depths of the fea, would 
n ° c a H°w any fubftance, perfectly inert, to remain uncloathed upon,” 
But 
