Aggregate of CORALS, SERPULsE, &c. 
<c r P HE deepS the ocean teem witJl m 7 riads °f animated being, which fabricate 
c X their feveral lodgings with infinitely fine expreffions of Sill and eWmre 
** oftafte.” &ance 
It is certainly an objeCt of fome curiofity, in the delineations of natural hiftory, to 
reprefent the cafual arrangements, and remarkable combinations of corals, fhells, and 
ferpulas, which are found adhering together, and on ftones dredged up in deep water j 
becaufe thefe natural arrangements can be but very leldom feen ; — and it is with the 
utmoft difficulty that they can be preferved, even for the cabinets of the moft curious. 
The very tender and delicate nature of the finer corals, render it a difficult charge 
W tranfport them from one place to another, in any kind of package, unlefs In 
etached pieces ; fuch an aggregate as that from whence the drawing of the plate was 
taken, is fcarcely to be found in the firft mufeums of Europe-, it was therefore thought 
expedient to exhibit it, in this elaborate manner, as a fpecimen of thefe very beautiful 
combinations, which the variety of marine productions affume in the deep recedes 
°f the ocean. r 
Thofe who are inclined to amufe their leifure hours with fpeculation on thofe won- 
derful energies of life, that fill the inacceffible grottos of the deep with arrangements of 
Uch exquifite workmanfifip, have in this, fome evidence of thofe fubjedls of admira- 
tion, wherewith the beds of the ocean teem,. 
Such an aggregate of ornamental fabrics, with all their inhabitants alive, is perhaps 
«ne of the fined fpeftades in the natural world ; and on which, microfcopic attention 
beftowed, may yield a feries of endlefs entertainment. We furvey with equal ffirprife 
a nd pleafure, the inexplicable contrivances of nature, in the manner of life, and texture 
of thefe beautiful productions. The operation of their various inftinCts, is an engaging 
theme of reflection ; but, like many other fources of intellectual enjoyment, we hardly 
attain to the caufes from whence the pleafure ultimately fprings. 
Elegance and beauty of form naturally attraft our notice, and inlpire with joy. 
Perhaps by impreffing the idea of an infinite excellence, and capacity of defign, un- 
folding and exprelfed by all that we admire. 
The peculiarities of their organifaticn, determines the part they are to aCt; the wonders 
t iey are to perform, in the general embellilhment of the fubmarine regions ; but there 
f° me inexplicable skill, the origin of adapting their organs to the little fphere 
of duty and exiftence, which they are appointed to fill ; and dilpofing their ftruCture to 
ta fte that fhare of comfort which their fituation allows them to enjoy. 
The defires implanted in them, aCting on the peculiar organifation affigned to each, 
Pom them on to various aCrion, and to induftrious perfeverance in their enterprizes, 
u ntil the purpofes of their being are fulfilled. 
In their works of ingenuity, as well as in their exertions and contrivances to attain 
tneir daily food, they evidently aft as if they diftinCtly knew what would be the 
^fult of their feveral plans and operations. They proceed, as if in confequence of 
reaf °nings the moft profound and as if actuated by conclufions fcientifically drawn- 
7 from 
