CHAPTER V 

 The Euplectella, or Glass Sponge 



THE Euplectella receives its name from two 

 Greek words which mean ' well woven.' The 

 waters of the ocean supply us with this hidden 

 beauty. For two or three reasons we may call 

 it hidden. Its home is at the bottom of the ocean 

 or sea. There it is anchored in a muddy deposit. 

 Even when brought to the surface, that part of it 

 which we wish to notice is embedded in a very 

 uninviting-looking covering the flesh or sarcode 

 of the creature. 



The creature is a sponge, but not that whose 

 leathery skeleton we use in the bathroom. The 

 first specimen which found its way to England 

 * exchanged hands several times for 50.' Good 

 'glass sponges' can now be purchased for three 

 shillings. One variety was pronounced by the 

 naturalist Ehrenberg to be a specimen of Japanese 

 art, and was placed in the cabinet of Oriental curios. 

 This can hardly be wondered at when one examines 

 the * beautifully woven ' texture of any one of the 



