308 POLYPES. 



and from which numerous animals issue, resembling poly- 

 pes both in their appearance and structure. The Red 

 Coral of the shops, which is manufactured into necklaces 

 and other ornaments, is the produce of one of the species 

 of the present tribe, and is found at the bottom of the 

 sea, in warm climates. 



SPOXGES, when growing upon their native rocks in the 

 sea, are endowed with life, and in some degree with mo- 

 tion. They shrink from the touch, and have the power 

 of contracting and expanding their pores. They absorb 

 nutriment from the fluid with which they are surrounded. 

 The Common Sponge is found in several parts of the Me- 

 diterranean Sea ; and, in some of the Grecian islands, the 

 inhabitants derive a considerable part of their subsistence, 

 by collecting it for sale. 



The POLYPES are soft and gelatinous animals, which 

 inhabit chiefly fresh water, and are fixed by a base to 

 leaves or other substances. Their mouth is at the extre- 

 mity of their body, and surrounded with numerous ten- 

 tacula or arms. They are capable of considerable change 

 of their form ; and, in other respects, are amongst the 

 most wonderful productions of nature. If cut to pieces 

 each of the several parts will become a new animal ; and, 

 even when turned inside out, they appear to suffer no 

 material inconvenience, as, in this state, they soon begin 

 to take food, and to perform all their natural functions. 

 These animals usually increase by a kind of vegetation, 

 one, two, or more of the young ones issuing from the sides 

 of the parent; and these also frequently have young before 

 they drop off. Thus it is not unusual to see two or three 

 generations at the same time, on the same Polype. The 

 most common species are the Long-armed and the Green 



