A BUSY SKELETON. 



PART 2. 



Is. the sponge a plant or an animal ? Looking at it 

 as it sits on the bottom, one might reasonably take it 

 for a sort of mushroom, or cabbage-head. Ever since 

 sponges came into use, and until within a few years, 

 they have been regarded as vegetables. There are 

 still thousands of people who believe them to be marine 

 plants ; for the common impression is that all animals 

 move about. 



The sponge is a real animal. This fact was found 

 out, as thousands of wonders in nature have been 

 brought to light, by indus- 

 trious search, and by the use 

 of sharp eyes. It was dis- 

 covered that small pieces 

 were somehow separated 

 from the living sponge, and 

 that these chips floated away, 

 and began to grow and move. 

 Eggs were also found in 

 sponges ; and from eggs come 

 animals. The little chips 

 and pieces of wool that 

 hatched from the eggs soon throw out long, slender 

 hairs which move like oars, and paddle the tiny animal 

 from place to place. 



Without eyes and without ears, the little sailor feels 

 its way about in the deep watery world by means of 

 its hair legs. It will run against plants and rocks, as 

 a blindfolded child in the game encounters chairs and 



Young Sponge. 



