76 - 
in their longest diameters, and horizontally disposed, are connected by 
processes nearly of the fineness of a hair, which pass from different parts 
of each of these bodies, and are attached to the surrounding ones ; the 
whole of these bodies being thus held in connexion. 
That the formation of these bodies has been the work of some animal, 
of a nature similar to the polypes, by which the known zoophytes are 
formed, cannot, I think, be doubted. But in what genus in the order 
of zoophtes can they be admitted ? 
The specimen figured Plate VIII. Fig. 8, is a silicious pebble from 
the Gravel-pits, at Hackney, bearing sufficient characteristic marks to 
shew that it may, with propriety, be classed with the specimens 
which have been just described. A similarity of character is seen in 
the slender processes by which the different parts of the coral are 
connected together ; but the similarity, in this respect, seems to point 
out only its being of the same genus, whilst the want of rotundity in 
its more solid parts, warrants the supposition that it is of a different 
species. 
What the real difference is between these several specimens does not, 
indeed, seem likely to be ascertained, until, by additional observations 
on other specimens, which are still farther illustrative, more particulars 
can be obtained respecting this curious fossil, whose recent analogue has 
not, I believe, been yet found. 
The silicious stone, represented Plate VIII. Fig. 14, is from Mr. 
Strange’s Collection, but whence obtained is not known. It is com- 
posed of roundish bodies of different sizes ; the largest, however, not 
exceeding a quarter of an inch in diameter. These, by their section 
are shown to have possessed a certain round hollow, and to have had 
their more solid surrounding part formed of a substance, which, being 
now cut through, appears similar to the petals of a flower. What was 
the original state of this substance is not easy to conceive ; but from 
the striie which pass from its periphery to the central cavity, it appears 
