COMMON CORAL of the German Ocean. 
P ^ E diftinguifhed elegance of habitation, which thefe fo animated and beau- 
Qf- polypes enjoy, which cloath the deep beds of the ocean with productions 
fro^- 1 Var " le d and wonderful ftrufture ; and the exquifite pleafures that are derived 
klelT ' nve ^'S at ing their life and manners ; cannot fail to fuggeft, to thofe who are 
off ed Wlt h leifure, and capacity to admire the fo varied excellence of the works 
t 0 u P rer ne intelligence and wifdom — that They are placed thus in his dominion. 
n K aVd t ^ ie m yfteries of his providence, and trace that beneficence of defign 
whole is conftituted. That Eye who, through the eternal round oftiu-*., 
influence of each link in the golden chain of being which he has made. 
^ en P er i°d when, from the vaft recedes of the deep, which furround the 
1 ifles, new teftimonies lhould be drawn of his univerfal care. 
ar e ^ no a ft°nifhing than pleafant, therefore, to furvey the energies that 
the working in the marvellous retirements of life, which fill the depths of 
te nr ° Cean with ftruftures of endlefs variety and beauty ; and to obferve fuch at- 
te rtla ? n P a 'fl w their prefervation, fuch means of defence given them againft ex- 
^nt ln ^ Ur * es> f uc h capacities bellowed on them of attaining food and nourilh- 
a, id ^ lat the X ii ye anc i fiourilh in their immoveable abodes, in vigour, health, 
tatj 0 ^ ent y> until old-age comes on, and the fprings of life decay ; when new gene- 
th P ; ns their offspring arife around them, and they become enclofed for ever in 
,r r »»b!e tombsl 
’T 
of a hfolutely a new feene of things, no lefs wonderful than true; ’tis a region 
tr an to the deep the vegetable kingdom does not extend. ’Tis a realm of 
ten^Hty and undifturbed repofe ; the warring elements, the llormy wind and 
ip e ft 
an c | ^ 5 can taife no commotions there 
When thefe living flowers fpread forth 
fe a f Q ° 0n:i > their fpring experiences no alteration or change; the viciflltude of 
fil enc n e S !s then unfelt ; over them cold and heat have no power. There lafting 
’Th 6 rei gns ; the mufic of the grove, and the noife of thunder, are equallyunknown. 
hot]/ PUrfue their labours in dwellings of perfect quiet. The lilies of thofe fields 
ftate an< ^ fpin ; they fabricate with dexterity their pearly cells, and feem in a 
of a Cor 'ftant activity and joy: yet all their enjoyments are within the compafs 
eri gao b * C 5 but it has a thoufand modifications, and yields them perpetual 
is g r b ^ffts ; their unabating activity demonftrates this. That their fenfibility 
1 ' s a lfo evident, for their exprellions vary with their fituation. When the 
water 
