of Sponges. 8i 



ftices between thofe Holes are filled with other minute ones ; 

 thefe have a regular roundifh Entrance to each, and feem to 

 be compofed of fmall Bundles of minute tranfparent Fibres, 

 that crofs one another, as if conftruded by fome Animal : 

 Thefe Fibres, or rather Spiculce, are fo extremely fine and 

 fharp, that they affed the Skin like Cow-itch. 



Fig. d^ Plate XVI. is the natural Appearance of a Piece 

 of this Sponge ; but in general it is found branched out. 



The fmall Piece, at Fig. ^ i, is magnified to the Size of 

 Fig. Z) r, to (hew the Manner in which the Bundles of mi- 

 nute Spicule are laid, to form the fmaller Holes that cover 

 the Surface. 



M CHAP. 



