TBs Natural Hiftory of o 
: I received fome Specimens of this Coralline, that were ga. 
-thered in the Month of 4pri/: Their Side-branches were CO- 
vered with regular Rows of Veficles ftanding upright; thee 
were almoft full of a yellow Subftance, like many of the other _ 
Veficles. When the Coralline is in this State, the Fifhermen, 
fay they are in Bloffom. The Shape of thefe Veficles isan + 
irregular Oval, with a Tube arifing from the Pedicle, and 
_pafling up on one Side to a little above the Top of each: _ 
This Tube is open at Top, and feems clofely united to the 
Veficle. | dh area, 
We mutt here obferve, that there is a good deal of Refem- 
_blance, in Miniature, of this Coralline to fome of the Me 
rican Keratophytons, or Sea-feathers, that grow in a pennated — 
- Form, and are covered with a Cruft of regular Rows of little 
Animals in their Cells, along the Edges of the Branches, = 
~The Manner likewife of this Coralline’s increafing its 
Trunk and Branches in Bulk, by a continued Succeflion of 
freth Zudulé arifing all round them, and adhering firmly to 
thofe that arofe before, gives us fome Idea of the Formation —_ 
of Corals, that are compofed of Tubes, which, as the Animals _ 
retire, are filled with a ftony Matter. For even in the Stems _ 
and. Trunks of this Coralline, we may obferve, that though __ 
the Materials, of which it is formed, feem to be of a {pongy 
elaftic Nature, yet the inner Tubes become firm, opaque, 
and brittle, whilft the outward and more recent-formed 
‘Pubes are thin, tender, and tranfparent. Tata a 
Fig. a, N°. 15. Plate X. gives us the Appearance that this | 
Coralline makes in its natural State, with its fpongy Tuft of 
Roots. 4 ae | 
Fig. 4, is a {mall Sprig magnified, to fhew the Tubes of - ‘eh 
