Flozverlikt' Forms and Fantasies 



167 



fill but equally diverting is the lovely little urn sponge 

 {Grantia cU'uita). This is a particularly favorable 

 type in which to observe the way in which all these ani- 

 mals work. If a specimen be placed in a dish of sea 

 water, to which a trace of carmine is added, it will be 

 seen that the coloring matter held in suspension is 



TUBE SPONGE. A NON-CALCAREOUS SPONGE. 



sucked through the sievelike pores on the creature's 

 sides and expelled in a steady stream through the large 

 opening that punctures the top. ^ 



I have referred to the sponges as animals; for that 

 in truth is what they are. Aristotle was the first to find 

 this out. So, you see, I am not setting forth a fact that 

 is particularly new. Yet, in spite of the age-old knowl- 

 edge of their identity, there is a prevailing impression 



