16 
Indeed, considering, that, in the experiments of Mr. Hatchett, even 
the recent tubipore lost its colour, and only demonstrated some loose 
particles of a tender membrane, I regarded it as almost hopeless to 
attempt to detect any animal matter, in a fossil body, which must have 
existed, in a mineralized state, several thousand years ; but as the 
result, if successful, would prove highly interesting, I resolved on the 
experiment, 
A fragment of the marble, Plate I. Fig. 2, was therefore exposed to 
the action of the muriatic acid, in a very diluted state. As the cal- 
careous earth dissolved, and the carbonic acid gas escaped, I w^as much 
pleased to observe the membranaceous substance appear, depending 
from the marble, in light, flocculent, elastic membranes. Many of 
these, most unexpectedly, retained a very deep red colour, and appeared 
in a beautiful and distinct manner, although not absolutely retaining the 
form of the tubipore. A faithful representation of this preparation is 
given, Plate I, Fig. 3. 
Tubipora Strues, as described by Linnaeus,* appears to agree exactly 
with the fossil from Westmoreland, Plate II. Fig. 1. Like that tubipore, 
it is formed of diverging tubes, which are connected by single tubules 
passing in a horizontal direction from one tube to another ; but at much 
greater distances than either in the tubipora muska, or in the fossil last 
described. 
In this specimen, the tubes are seen diverging and bending their 
course in different ways. The tubes are all filled with calcareous matter, 
so that their terminations generally present the appearance of a projecting 
body; in some few only, are the vestiges of an opening discernible. The 
external surface of the tubes has a scabrous appearance, very much 
unlike the smooth surfaces of the recent tubipores. 
* T. tubis distantibus divergentibus liberis posterius saepius flexis ; tubulis minoribus 
simplicibns horizontalibus corabinatis. — Systema Naturae, Linnaei. 1788. Tom. IV, P.3755. 
