INTRODUCTION, 
 Thefe veficulary Polypes, as foon as they arrive at Matu- 
rity fall off, and with them moft of the Veficles difappear. 
In fome of the celliferous Corallines, which branch out 
inan elegant Manner, we obferve, that the fmall Polypes in 
the Cells acquire a teftaceous Covering, like little Snails, as 
at Fig. H and B, in Plate XVIII. and at Fig. 4 in Plate 
XIX. | 
Thee little Shell-fith, we may ) fuppofe, grow larger; and, 
in their mature State, may depofite on Rocks, Fucws’s, and — 
Shells, fuch curioufly implicated Mazrices or Ovaries, which, 
in time, may unfold and extend themfelves into thofe many 
beautiful Tree-like Forms that we find them in. 
The Matrices of fome Kind of Shell-fith are fo remark-- 
able for. their Plant-like Form, that many People have taken. 
them for Vegetables at firft Sight. See Fig. a, Plate XXXII. 
In order therefore to be more fully fatisfied, in refpect to 
the Nature of a Species of Beings hitherto almoft unknown, 
I took a Journey in Auguf? laft 1754, along the Northern 
Shore of the County of Ken, in Company with Doctor Oeder, 
a very curious and ingenious Phyfician, Profeffor of Botany 
to the King of Denmark. 
At Whitfiable, 1 employed fome Fifhermen. to collee 
what Varieties they could of thefe fubmarine Bodies. Among 
many other things they brought me feveral irregular Pieces © 
of a fie(hy Subftance, fticking to Shells, called by them, — 
Deadman’s Toes. It is defcribed in Ray’s Synopfis, by the 
Name of Aleyonium ramofo-digitatuim molle afferifcis undiqua- 
que ornatum. A {mall Piece of it is reprefented in its natu- 
ral Form, at Letter a, Plate XXXII. and a Part of it mag- 
nified at Letter 4 7 ) aft 
b 2 . Thefe 
