137 
COR ALLIN AD jE. 
Tlie productions embraced by this division of our subject, 
the “Articulated calcareous Corallines of Ellis,” are essen- 
Jially distinct from those previously described. In the 
foregoing Orders the presence of a polype lias been deemed 
an indispensable requisite to their admission among Zoo- 
phytes ; here however, after many examinations of the 
''liferent species in their natural states, at different seasons 
the year, and under a great diversity of weather, no polype 
has ever yet been discovered ; consequently the calling of 
'hose productions Zoophytes is an error, as the arrangement 
how stands. Though destitute of polypes or any signs of 
"Oitnal life, many Authors still consider them in the light of 
at| imal existences ; while others as zealously contend that 
fhey belong to the vegetable kingdom. In the early age of 
Natural History, these as well as the polypous zoophytes 
"’ere considered vegetables. Ray speaking of the productions 
h°w under consideration, says “Corallina est planta) genus 
ln aquis nascens, tenuissime division ex parlibus constans 
ar liculatione quadam veluti conjunctis.” This opinion was 
c °ni bated by Ellis, and from his superior knowledge he 
? v «rtbrew the reasonings of his opponents, though he failed 
ln establishing their animal character as firmly as he had 
° n e that of the others. His views, however were generally 
®eeived as correct, and Linnaeus, who knew Ellis and in the 
8 f°dy of zoophytes seems to have been his follower, though 
first an advocate for the vegetable nature of all zoophytes, 
embraced the doctrine of the animal character of the 
! )ol ypous species and eventually of these calcareous coral- 
ir 'es. He says; “ Corallinas ad Regnum Animate pertinere 
substantia earum calcarea constat, cum omnem calcem 
^binialium esse productum verrissitnum sit.” There never 
as any pretension to the discovery of a polype; hence 
p S animal character depends on its calcareous structure, 
"vier’s opinion appears to have been similar to that of Ellis, 
! ,lce lie classes the articulated Corallines with Crisia, 
. ^tnarchis, Farcimia, and Flustra, between which there 
£ fl ot the least similarity except in the calcareous structure. 
^ a mouroux also includes them in his work on Corallines; 
® says, however that he never saw the polypes, though ho 
jj.Pposes the animal to bo dilfused in the form of retractile 
a, bents ; this is however purely ideal. In (he Millepora 
^ntorpha such a supposition might seem to receive a 
mirnaation from a cursory observer, sinee it is not at all 
