the Production of Corals . 2x9 
may produce branched or other Figures, and 
increafe gradually by an Apportion of Par¬ 
ticles ; becoming thicker near the Bottom 
where the faline Matter is more abounding, 
but tapering or diminijhing towards the Ex¬ 
tremities, where the mineral Salts muft.be 
fewer, in proportion to their Diftance from 
the Rock whence they, originally proceed. 
And the different' Proportions of mineral 
faline Particles, of the ftony or other Matter 
wherewith they are blended, and of marine 
•/ 
Salt , which muft: have a confiderable Share 
in fuch Formations, may occafion all the 
Variety we fee. Nor does it feem more dif¬ 
ficult to imagine that the radiated , ftarry , or 
cellular Figures along the Sides of thefe Co¬ 
rals, or at the Extremities of their Branches, 
may derive their Production from Salts in - 
corporated with fiony Matter , than that the 
curious Delineations and Appearances of mi¬ 
nute Shrubs and Moffes on Slates, Stones 
&c . are owing to the Shoots of Salts in- 
termixt with mineral Particles : and yet thefe 
are generally allowed to be the Work of 
mineral Steams or Exhalations 5 by which 
muft, I think, be meant the fineft Particles 
* Let me not be mifunderftood to mean the Impreffions of 
Plants found frequently on Slates, Iron-Stones, for fuch. 
Imprejfions are undoubtedly owing to the very Plants them- 
felves, whofe Figures they bear, having been lodged in the 
Matter whereof fuch Slates or Stones are made, whilft it was 
in a fluid or foft State; which they ferve to prove it formerly 
has undoubtedly been. 
of 
