of Corars, &c. 
The fcarlet mealy Subftance on the Surface, magnified by 
Ne 1. the greateft Magnifier of Wilfon’s Microfcope, exhi- 
bits the Figures of hollow Crofles combined together (Sce 
Fig. 4, Plate XXXV); whsch, no doubt, are of fome very 
material Ufe to this Fabrick and its Inhabitants ; though 
wherein, we are yet ignorant. : 
The Increafe of Coral by a conftant Succeflion of Tubes 
rifing up, and encompafling the Trunk, and extending the 
_ Branches, is very well illuftrated in the Inftance of the Stem 
and Branches of the Herring-bone Coralline, Plate X. where 
at Fig. B, the Tuduli ave magnified. But as this Coralline 
is compofed of light fpongy and claftic Materials, the Cavi- 
ties do not clofeup; but, at the fame time the Stem grows 
haid, it remains porous and woody, like Cane. Though 
in Phyfics it is unfafe, to draw general Conclufions from 
particular Inftances, yet the Texture of the {mall, elegant, 
- White Coral, reprefented, in its natural Appearance and Size, 
95 
at 6, Plate XXXV. is fo agreeable to the general Tenour of 2 ~ 
Nature’s Procedure in the Formation of the marine Bodies 
already deferibed, that it would almoft induce one to think, ~ "© 
the ftony Corals, for the moft part, are produced in like man- 
ner ; that is, that they are compofed of Tubes, formed by 
Animals of the Polype Kind. 
The Coral above-mentioned is fairly reprefented, as itap- - 
"pears magnified at B; in which Figure we may diftindly 
trace the Tubes, from the Bafe up the Ouz/ide of the Branches : 
And, on the Infide, their Openings are as con{picuous. | 
For. this curious Specimen, with that of the Red Coral, 
and an Opportunity of examining many rare Sponges, Co- 
“rals, and Lithophyza, together with his kind Affiftance in this: 
Work, I am indebted to my much efteemed Friend Dotter 
3 fobn Fothergill. 3 : | 
ae 
