442 
FOSSIL CORALLINE BODIES. 
of Creative care, in the lower regions of organic 
life, than is forced upon us by the contemplation 
of those highest combinations of animal mecha- 
nism, which occur in that paragon of animal 
organization, the corporeal frame of Man. 
SECTION II. 
FOSSIL REMAINS OF POLYPES. 
It was stated in our Chapter on Strata of the 
Transition Series, that some of their most abuH' 
dant animal remains are fossil Corals or Poly' 
paries. These were derived from an order m 
animals long considered to be allied to mario® 
plants, and designated by the name of Zoophytes ! 
they are usually fixed, like plants, to all parts 
of the bottom of the sea in warm climates whid^ 
are not too deep to be below the influence 
solar heat and light, and in many species, seid 
forth branches, assuming in some degree the forJt^ 
and aspect of vegetables. These coralline bodicS 
are the production of Polypes, nearly allied tc 
the common Actinia, or Sea Anemone of our 
shores. See PI. 54. Fig. 4. Some of them, e. g' 
the Cary ophy Ilia, see PI. 54. Figs. 9, 10. are soU' 
tary, each forming its own independent stem 
support ; others are gregarious, or confluent ; 
ing together on the same common base or Vo\T 
