T O S M Y R N A. 19 
the Corals. At that time they were thought to be 
vegetables. We know of none who immediately 
diffented from this opinion. Mr. Peyfonel, by 
feme obfervations he made on the French coaft, 
before Marfigli printed his book, had reafon to 
tnink otherwife, experience convincing him that 
Corals were inhabited by worms. Mr. Peyfonel 
did not make natural hiftory his chief ftudy; he 
did nor fet much value on thefe obfervations, yet 
Communicated them to his brother, a learned 
phyfician, who intended to publifh them. 
At length, Count Marfigli anticipated Mr. Pey- 
lonel, who fupprefled his and his brother’s obferva- 
tjons; but afterwards informed Mr. Reaumur of 
them, who knew how to make ufe of fuch a con- 
uderable fpeculation. Mr. Reaumur gave it in to the 
, l °y a! Farihan Academy of Sciences augmented with 
ms own obfervations; nor omitted to attribute the ho- 
nour to the real difcoverer. This was the rife of an 
opinion about Corals, that fince hath been thought 
'vorth the enquiry of the learned, and has received 
an almoft umverfal applaufe, which the inventor ne- 
ver expefted 
A traveller, who, either for his pleafure or 
lome ufefuJ purpofe, would chufe to be acquainted 
vith the ceremonies of thofe religions which have 
claimed the attention of mankind, Ihouid vifit 
ome city m the Levant, where he will fee them all, 
''cept idolatry. Many Chriftians imagine that the 
nief C , Urch cames neareft 'Wh refpect of ceremo- 
niri ’ l< c k 13 -;* which was predominant at the begin- 
c,;r ihianity. I fawthofeof the church of Smyr- 
havi/a mai r ab!e for her a ptiquity, andyet more for 
Hie nmJ' C erV f d itcrfelf in the tolerable fituation 
l u rb Jv! n ’ , til0u r gh perfected by the Pope and 
‘ ’ 1 e ie v fillers are fcarcely known here. 
C 2 The 
