SPONGITES IN FLINTS. 925 
Sponaires Townsenpi. (Pict. Adias, pl. xli.)—The cyathi- 
_ form flints, whose shape depends on the inclosed zoophytes, 
so much resemble the cup-shaped sponges of commerce, as 
to be easily recognized in the heaps of nodules that are 
collected in chalk districts for the roads ; they are from one 
to eight inches in diameter at the upper part, and many 
_ are of a globular or spheroidal shape ; the surface has the 
usual calcareo-siliceous coating of flint nodules, giving a 
sensation of roughness to the touch ; the margin of the cup 
_ generally exhibits a narrow band of porous structure, and when 
broken, sections of the enclosed body are exposed. These 
_ funnel-shaped spongites terminate at the bottom in a pe- 
u 
“ 
4 
i 
, 
4 
} 
n 
‘ 
*) 
duncle, whence fibrous root-like processes diverge ; by these 
appendages the original was fixed to the rock. I have col- 
lected a few specimens in which the roots are attached to a 
shell, or pebble, but have never seen any that appeared to 
occupy the spot on which they grew. They seem to have 
been detached from their native sites by the waves, and 
transported to a distance, and subsiding into the tranquil 
depths of the ocean, became imbedded in the cretaceous 
sediments that were accumulating at the bottom. 
SPONGITES (7) LaByRINTHICUS.* Lign. 80, jig. 5.—An- 
other abundant species of amorphozoa has given rise to sub- 
hemispherical flints, rounded below and flat above, with a 
marginal band of porous tissue, that expands into flexuous 
lobes which fill up the area of the upper surface. When 
| 
found imbedded in the chalk, the form of this zoophyte is 
often preserved entire ; the upper part showing the lobated 
and flexuous character of the original. Upon breaking these 
' flints, the organic structure is generally apparent ; but in 
a 
} 
bs 
¥ 
, 
many instances has perished, and left a cavity which is either 
partially filled with stalactitical chalcedony, or lined with 
+ quartz crystals. These fossils vary in size from a walnut to 
that of an orange; the pedicle has long processes. 
* Foss. 8. D. tab. xv. fig. 7. 
VOL, I. Q 
