SPONGES. 315 



time after. As long as the luminosity of the ocean was 

 visible (which continued most part of the night), a 

 number of Pyrosoma Atlanticum, two species of Phyllo- 

 soma, an animal apparently allied to Leptocephalus, as 

 well as several crustaceous animals (all of which I had 

 before considered as intertropical species), were caught 

 and preserved. At half-past ten P.M. the temperature 

 of the atmosphere on deck was 52, and that of the 

 water 51J. The luminosity of the water gradually 

 decreased during the night, and towards morning was 

 no longer seen, nor on any subsequent night." 1 



Let us come back from the wide world of waters, with 

 its nightly illuminations, and its other ten thousand 

 marvels, to our own homely and quiet beach. A tribe 

 of existences is awaiting our notice, which we have as 

 yet neglected; which yet we cannot fail to observe 

 whenever we peep beneath these boulders, and ]ook at 

 these rocky ledges, just left exposed by the lowest re- 

 tiring tides. They are the Sponges ; the most debate- 

 able forms of life, long denied a right to stand in the 

 animal ranks at all, and even still admitted there doubt- 

 ingly and grudgingly by some excellent naturalists. 

 Yet such they certainly are, established beyond reason- 

 able controversy as true and proper examples of animal 

 life, and therefore having a rightful claim to be painted 



i Wanderings in J^eio South Wales, etc., vol. i. 



