73 
plainly seen that these bodies are formed of fine, and very closely 
united concentric lamellae. 
Most of the circumstances here mentioned may be noticed in Fig. 4, 
whilst from Fig. 2, some notion may be gained of the form, which the 
coral would assume by its ramification. Fig. 7 represents a small 
calcareous mass, from the Siculean mountains, formed chiefly of the 
fragments of this coral. Remains of this species of fossil are also 
found at Caine, in Wiltshire, in a light yellow coloured lime-stone. 
It is only possible to form very vague conjectures respecting the 
form which this coral originally bore, and the recent species which it 
might have the nearest resembled ; since, by having been deprived of ^ 
the soft porous and cellular flesh with which it was invested, and which 
was the habitation of the polype (hydra) peculiar to it, its form must 
have been exceedingly changed. From the great plenty in which 
this fossil has been found in Sicily and other parts, there is every 
reason for supposing the coral, from which it derived its origin, must 
have existed in considerable quantity. 
I do not know that the remains of any individual of the genus An- 
ti pathes have been discovered in a mineralized state. Nor do I 
know of any species of the Gorgonia, similar to any now existing, 
having been found, that had suffered that change. 
In the Dudley lime-stone, and in the lime-stone of St. Peter’s 
Mountain, is a vast variety of minute, indeed of almost microscopic 
substances, which very much resemble some of the reticulated gorgo- 
niae ; but which perhaps would with more propriety, be considered 
as corallines. But to illustrate the nature of these substances would 
require so many additional engravings as puts me under the necessity of 
deferring their investigation. 
We now arrive at a series of specimens, which bear so little analogy 
with either the recent or fossil corals, that it appeared to be ex- 
ceedingly difficult to determine in what part of this Work they 
should find a place. Indeed, so slight is the circumstance which has 
VOL. II. L 
