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CHAPTER X. 



ZOOPHYTES. 



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THE Zoophytes of the Mediterranean will well 

 repay the careful student, who will here find a wide 

 and comparatively unexplored field of labour. No 

 naturalist has as yet written a full, accurate, and 

 minute description of the lower forms of Maltese 

 animal life. Dr. Gulia who has kindly aided me, 

 has devoted much careful attention to this and 

 other departments of Natural History, and the publi- 

 cation of the results of his observations is a thing 

 greatly to be desired in the interests of science. 



Fishermen and others meet with rare and 

 beautiful zoophytes, but, ignorant of their scientific 

 value, consign them to the deep, or throw them 

 upon the rocks to die. About four varieties of 

 sponge grow in the harbours and in deep water- 

 It is as yet uncertain whether a fifth variety can 

 be claimed as belonging to Gozo, or whether it is 

 but a waif and stray from Sicilian waters. A 

 gregale brings on shore numerous sponges, seaweed, 

 and other marine treasures, amongst which we 

 may note the Portuguese Man of War, Cesium Vene- 

 ris etc. 



