184 S P O N G I A. 



This Sponge generally adheres to rocks by a very broad 

 bafe. It is often found inclofing fmall ftones and fhells. 

 Variety of marine animals pierce and gnaw it into irregu- 

 lar winding cavities ; thefe appear on the outride by large 

 holes raifed higher than the reft ; it varies in color from a 

 pale to a deep yellow, and likewife in the confiftence of 

 the fibres. When we cut it perpendicularly, we find the 

 internal part confifting of fmall tubes, which divide into 

 branches as they approach the furiace. Thefe tubes, 

 which are compofed of reticulated fibres, extend them- 

 felves every way, by this means increafing the furface or 

 the Sponge, and ending on the outfide in an infinite num- 

 ber ol fmall circular holes, which are the proper mouths 

 of the animal : each of theie holes is furrounded by a few 

 erect pointed fibres, which appear as if wove in the form 

 of little fpines. Thefe tubes, with their ramifications, 

 in the living ftate of the Sponge, are clothed with a gela- 

 tinous fubftance properly called the flefh of the animal. 

 This the fifhermen, as loon as they are brought on more, 

 are obliged to fqueeze out and wafhthe Sponge ciean K to 

 -prevent its growing putrid. When they are hrft taken 

 out of the fea they have a ftrong limy fmell, and when 

 the Sponge is burnt, the Imell foon difcovers its animal 

 nature. This kind, of which there are many varieties, is 

 chiefly collected about the iilands in the Archipelago, in 

 the Mediterranean Sea, where it is a conliderable article of 

 commerce. 



2. Spongia oculata. Branched EngliJ/j Sponge, 



Spongia ramofijjima This Sponge is delicately 



mollis, ramis comprejjiuf- foft, and very much branched ; 

 cults afcenddutibus J&pe the branches are a very little 



conJiuentibuS) 



