4(> THE SPONGE. 



for its peculiar qualities. Thus, Homer describes 

 Vulcan obeying the charge of Thetis : 



" Eirst from his forge dislodged, he thrust apart 

 His bellows, and his tools collecting all, 

 Bestow'd them careful in a silver chest; 

 Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped 

 His visage, and his arms, and brawny neck." 



The ancients used it also as a soft and elastic 

 lining for their heavy brazen helmets, and we employ 

 it for various purposes. . 



The extent and importance of the sponge fisheries 

 of the Mediterranean and Red Sea attracted attention 

 to it in remote antiquity. Great doubt was felt, 

 however, as to its true character. Aristotle de- 

 scribed it as a stationary or rooted animal, but it is 

 probable, from other statements, that he considered 

 its place to be intermediate between the animal and 

 vegetable kingdoms. Pliny, who in his account of 

 sponges is greatly indebted to the Stagyrite, places 

 them among the productions which have a third 

 or middle nature, and are neither living creatures 

 nor plants. 



Nor can we be surprised at the hesitation so long 

 manifest. Who that takes up a piece of common 

 sponge, but would consider it as a kind of vegetable ? 

 Even if told that when first procured, it was 

 covered with a gelatinous film, he might reply, 

 with some degree of force, " So are many species of 

 seaweed ;" and he might add, " Where is its 

 sensibility, and its motion ? It does not betray 



