ERRATA.

Page 1 Tubularia. 71 For Genus Pleuronectes, &c., read Genus Chæto

don, C. Teira. 82 For fine, pine forests. 84 Nests, nest. 108 Hispidus, Hispid. 102 The head of this singular species, the Echeneis

Remora. - 155 For Whiting, read Greyling.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

ANIMAL Plants— Remarkable property of the Hydra-

Discoveries of Leuwenhoek, and Trembly- Beautiful

specimens of the Sea Anemone found at Sidmouth

-Cluster Animal Flower of Barbadoes Singular

Cavern - Wonderful construction of the Sea Sun-

flower, and Carnation; adaptation to their places of

growth-Closing Remarks

page

LETTER II.

Sponges—Curious mechanism observable in each-De-

scription of some of the most remarkable-Use in

Medicine and the Arts

13

LETTER III.

Corallines—Beautiful productions of the deep-Habita-

tions of Polype Insects—Abundant in the south of

Devon-Probable Uses

-

20

LETTER IV.

Construction of the Coral; proved to belong to the ani-

mal kingdom, by Pallas, Ellis, and Solander-Curious

appearance when steeped in diluted nitric acid-Coral

Fishery in the Straits of Messina Splendid aerial

phenomenon of La Fata Morgana

28

ERRATA.

Page 1 Tubularia.

- 71 For Genus Pleuronectes, &c., read Genus Chæto-

don, C. Teira.

- 82 For fine, pine forests.

- 84 Nests, nest.

- 108 Hispidus, Hispid.

- 102 The head of this singular species, the Echeneis

Remora.

- 155 For Whiting, read Greyling.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

ANIMAL Plants— Remarkable property of the Hydra-

Discoveries of Leuwenhoek, and Trembly- Beautiful

specimens of the Sea Anemone found at Sidmouth

- Cluster Animal Flower of Barbadoes — Singular

Cavern - Wonderful construction of the Sea Sun-

flower, and Carnation ; adaptation to their places of

growth-Closing Remarks - - - - page

LETTER II.

Sponges—Curious mechanism observable in each—De.

scription of some of the most remarkable-Use in

Medicine and the Arts - - - - - -

18

LETTER III.

Corallines- Beautiful productions of the deep-Habita-

tions of Polype Insects-Abundant in the south of

Devon-Probable Uses - - - - - -

20

LETTER IV.

Construction of the Coral; proved to belong to the ani-

mal kingdom, by Pallas, Ellis, and Solander-Curious

appearance when steeped in diluted nitric acid-Coral

Fishery in the Straits of Messina — Splendid aerial

phenomenon of La Fata Morgana - - - -

28

LETTER V.

Coral - Extraordinary manner in which this production

is rendered subservient to the formation of Reefs and
habitable Islands-Mr. Dalrymple's survey of the Dutch
Coast of Sumatra-Extensive Coral Reefs on the shores

of Abyssinia -- Very abundant in the Red Sea-Con-

curring with the sands of the Lybian Desert, to prove

that our Continents are not of more remote antiquity

than has been assigned to them in the book of Genesis

- Coral Reefs advantageous to shipping; their singular

beauty- Where most numerous-- Poetry-Progressive

Increase

page 36

LETTER VI.

General remarks on the Construction of Fish, on the

organs of Sight and Hearing, on the arrangement of

the Teeth and Scales

49

LETTER VII.

Organs of Swimming; Air Bladder-Closing Remarks - 59

LETTER VIII.

Morning walk on the Beach at Portland Prismatic

Colours reflected from the scales of fishes-Division of

the Colours of aquatic animals into three classes : one

evidently designed for beauty; another for concealment;

a third to point out the character of the fish to which

it is assigned-Instances of each-Sketch of Cress-

brook — Phosphorescent Light emitted by numerous

Sharks—Reason of this peculiarity, noticed by Steller-

Sketches of Scenery in the Arundel country on the

banks of Chesapeake Bay— Pleasure afforded by the

study of Nature in one of the wildest parts of that

country-Early Christians adopted the figure of a

fish, as symbolical of their faith, and sculptured it on

their tombs

70

LETTER IX.

Configuration of Fishes, and obvious relationship to

their native element - Illustrative instances — Fly-

ing Fish-Poetry- Extraordinary construction of the

Black Goby, Occellated Sucker, and Sucking Fish-

Cicero's reflections on the Fishing Frog

87

LETTER X.

Subject continued-- Instances of mechanical contrivance

in the means of defence-Observations on the Weaver,

and the Hag, the Torpedo, Cramp-fish, and Electrical

Silurus

108