42 



small flakes. When a living sponge is allowed 

 to remain a day at rest, in a white vessel filled 

 with pure sea water, an accumulation of feculent 

 matter is always found immediately under each 

 orifice. If it is confined in the same basin of 

 water for two days, the currents appear to cease ; 

 but, on plunging it again into water newly taken 

 from the sea, they are renewed in a few minutes ; 

 and the continual circulation of water through 

 the body, Dr. Grant, who appears to have studied 

 this subject with great perseverance, says, he no 

 longer doubts, forms one of the living functions of 

 this animal. 



"It would only burthen your memory," con- 

 tinued my uncle, " were I to tell you all the 

 various opinions which have been formed respect- 

 ing the anatomy of the sponge. I will merely 

 say, that Dr. Grant affirms, though in opposition 

 to M. Cuvier, that the fibrous part of the sponge, 

 which is insoluble in water, and forms a net work 

 through every part of the body, is the skeleton of 

 this zoophyte, serving, as in other animals, to give 

 form to the body, and support to the softer 

 organs. 



" Sponge attaches itself sometimes to marine 

 plants, so as to choak up their pores. Small 

 bits of the same species will spread towards each 

 other, and become one piece ; and it is amusing 

 to observe, says Dr. Grant, the growth of the 

 young Sponyia parasiticp on the back and legs 



