134 THE SEA-SHORE 



PLATE XLIV 



THE GRANTIA SPONGE (3) 



This is quite a small sponge, which you may 

 often find by hunting about in the rock-pools 

 just above low-water mark. Sometimes it clings 

 to sea-weeds, and sometimes it hangs down from 

 the surfaces of 'the rocks; and when you find 

 one you are almost sure to find several others 

 close by. 



In appearance, they are rather like little flat 

 white bags, or purses; and when they reach 

 their full size they are generally about an inch 

 long and an inch and a half wide. 



PLATE XLIV 

 FORAMINIFERA (4) 



" Foraminifera ! " That is rather a long name ; 

 isn't it ? But if we cut it in two, and strike out 

 one of the letters, we shall see what it means. 

 Foramin-(i)-fera. Now the first part of the name 

 is a Latin word which means "a hole," and the 

 last part is another Latin word which signifies 

 "bearers." So " foraminifera " means "hole- 

 bearers," and this title has been given to certain 





