49 
°f the branches, it is certainly not the case, as the deposit is 
Nent and the crust entire ; in the axillae of the branches it 
ls Very common to find several successive layers of the same 
8(1 regnl ar |y deposited as to preclude the idea of such a for- 
llli| ous enclosure. This opinion, therefore, of Ellis's, appears 
be erroneous, but is rather an error of deduction than of 
°hservation. In the lower portions of the stem and in that 
par t near the roots, the cavities are frequently hollow' or 
"'■thout any of the white matter; some are only partially 
e '"pty, while in all the newer parts they are filled; on this 
p0 'nt a very important question arises: VVere these empty 
ati d partially empty cavities ever occupied by the white 
Niter? If not, they differ from the more recent and super- 
0 i«d ones: If so, in what manner has it been removed? 
^estions which very materially affect the doctrine of the 
/‘organic nature of the axis. I consider these cavities to 
' Uv e been filled like the more recent ones and that the mat- 
afterwards became absorbed, I’ rom this it will be seen 
'“at I am an advocate for the organic nature, and life of the 
an opinion that will be further supported hereafter. I 
» n quite aware that the opposite opinion is held by Dr. 
j !, nston, but with all respect for such high authority I con- 
that bis facts and arguments are not oi sufficient weight to 
‘ a ke me alter my views ; lor the residual phenomena, for 
a *’ c h bis theory fails to account, are so great and important 
J* /° *brow a very considerable doubt over it at least. Dr* 
lv °unston quotes Lamark as saving that the axis under all its 
f 0<J 'fications is inorganic anil formed by matter excreted 
,/N the polypes, which afterwards become solidified by 
oi Qit y. this however is the result of theory rather than 
Novation and can therefore have no weight when opposed 
fjjcu,. 
tjbe pith is central, white and runs through the trunk and 
U> c bes ; and is smaller and more compressed in the older 
N," >n the newer parts. Many persons, from the position 
y distribution of the pith taken in collection with the con- 
„ * “ r ic layers of the axis, have considered it a vegetable 
a But there are several important discrepancies between 
C Pith of a Gorgonia and an exogenous stem, which have 
h; Botieed both by Ellis and Johnston. In vegetables the 
.' s continuous iroui the trunk through all the branches 
a h , ls surrounded by a ring of vessels composed of tracheae 
IK 0 duct8 : in the Gorgonia it is not continued trom the trunk 
l a '°°§li the branches, but each ofiset is separated by several 
Pi.k rs of homy fibre and is in no way connected with the 
the trunk. It is also divided at short intervals, in the 
r S°nia, by transverse septa, and the branches appear as if 
