) 
| 
- Branches. 
Part of the Reticulation, © 
of KERATOPHYTA. 
I, are the Holes from whence the Polypes extend them- 
- felves. 
i" 
s, 
Big bis the lower Bnd cut loping off, to thew the Ca 
Vities of the Tubes and Gells. 
+ In the Centre of the Seétion is the End of the comprefied 
horny Tube. The {mall reticulated Branches of this Kerazo-. 
plyton are much comprefled; and when we view them in 
_ Front, their thin Edge ftands towards us. 
_ Fig. K, is the horizontal Seétion of this great Branch, 
hewing the feveral circular Layers of contraéted Tubes, 
3 which now look like the annular Circles of Wood. 
~ In the fame Keratophyton, or Sea-Fan, is another remark- 
able Inftance of the Animals forming the horny Part of the 
This Specimen appears to have the Progrefs of its Growth 
- ftopt by fome impending Rock, or other Accident; Part of 
its upper Branches appearing as if cut off in a Line horizon- 
tally, Fig.€ This we obferve has diverted the Courle of © 
the Animals back the Way they came, fo that we find many 
of the late formed Cells covered over, and confufed with an 
irresular Appearance of the calcarious Matter. This we can: 
_ perceive, as far as we can trace the Animals back in their Re- . 
treat; and, upon taking off the calcarious Matter, we find, 
that the horny Subftance, which they have depofited fince 
their Return, had filled up moft of the vacant Places, in that 
~ Befides the horny and woody ubftance of the Stem and 
Branches of thefe Keratophyta, I have lately met with one 
from South Carolina, in the Colle@ion of Mr. Peter Collinfony 
F. R. S. whofe inward Parts are intirely of a fpongy Tex- 
ea ; : ere ture,, 
63 | 
