CHAPTER III 



SPONGES 



Suggestions. — In many parts of North America, fresh-water 

 sponges may,uy caieful searching. be found growing on rocks and logs 

 in clear water. They are brown, creamy, or greenish in colour, and re- 

 semble more a cushion-like plant than an animal. They have a char- 

 acteristic gritty feel. They soon die after removal to an aquarium. 



A number of common small bath sponges may be bought and kept 

 for use in studying the skeleton of an ocean sponge. These sponges 

 should not have large 

 holes in the bottom ; if 

 so, too much of the 

 sponge has been cut 

 away. A piece of marine 

 sponge preserved in alco- 

 hol or formalin may be 

 used for showing the 

 sponge with its flesh in 

 place. Microscopic slides 

 may be used for showing 

 the spicules. 



The small fresh-water 

 sponge (Fig. 21) lacks 

 the more or less vase- 

 like form typical of sponges. It is a rounded mass growing 

 upon a rock or a log. As indicated by the Arrows, where does 



water enter the sponge? This 

 may be tested by putting colour 

 ing matter in the water near 

 the living sponge. Where does 

 the water come out? (Fig. 22.) 

 Does it pass through ciliated 

 chambers in its course ? Is the 



Fig. 22. — Section of fresh-water sponge 

 (enlarged). 



c 17 



Fig. 21. — Fresh-water Sponge. 



