28 NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



Fig. 12 shows a few of the forms of spicules that form the 

 skeletal parts of local sponges. 



It is a good plan to preserve specimens of all kinds that 

 are met with. Methylated spirit is a good preservative, 

 and wide-mouthed pickle jars, which can be covered with 

 a piece of bladder (damped before tying on), are very readily 

 obtainable. 



If, however, a regular study is intended, and it is desired 

 to make preparations, to exhibit the cell structure, etc., 

 which I have described, other methods must be resorted 

 to, full particulars of which will be given later on, but 

 specimens simply preserved in methylated spirit will afford 

 good sections to exhibit the spicular and other arrange- 

 ments. 



Over a hundred species of sponges occur on our coast. 

 The books dealing with these and their distinguishing 

 characters will be named in the bibliography at the end. 



