166 History of Nature. [Boox IX. 



pounded of both (I mean Urticae 1 and Sponges 2 ), have yet a 

 Kind of Sense in them. Urticae wander about by Night, and 

 likewise by Night change their (Colour). Their Nature is 

 formed of fleshy Leafage, and on Flesh they feed. Their 

 Quality is to raise an itching Smart, like the Land Nettle. 

 Its Manner is to gather in its Body exceedingly close and 

 stiff; and when a little Fish swimmeth before it, it 

 spreadeth abroad its Branches, and thus claspeth and de- 

 voureth it. At other Times, as if it were withered, suffering 

 itself to be tossed to and fro among the Weeds, with the 

 Waves of the Sea, if any Fishes come in contact with it, 

 it seizes them, as they scratch the Itching they feel by rub- 

 bing themselves against the Rocks. By Night it seeks for 

 Pectens and Echini. When it feeleth one's Hand to touch 

 it, it changeth Colour, and contracteth itself. When touched, 

 it discharges something that causes an Itching ; and if a 

 little Interval is permitted after it is touched, it becomes 

 concealed. It is thought that its Mouth lieth in the Root, 

 and that it voideth its Excrements through a small Pipe 

 above. 



Of Sponges we find three Sorts: the first thick, exceeding 

 hard, and rough ; and this is called Tragos : a second, not so 

 thick, arid somewhat softer; and that is named Manon : the 

 third is fine and compact, wherewith they make Rubbers (to 

 cleanse with), and this is termed Achilleum. They grow all 

 upon Rocks, and are fed with Shell-fish, Fish, and Mud. 

 That they possess Understanding appeareth from this, that 

 when they feel that one would pluck them away, they draw 

 in, so as with the greater Difficulty to be pulled from the 

 Rock. They do the like when they are beaten with the 



1 Actineae, a class of naked Zoophytes. Macrobius, in his account of 

 the supper given by Lentulus, on the occasion of his being inaugurated 

 Flamen martialis, enumerates Urtica? among the dishes. Wern. Club. 



2 Pliny's opinion, that Sponges are living animals, is still held by 

 some eminent naturalists. Others contend that they are vegetable ; and 

 their natural station seems to be on that debateable line where each of 

 these great kingdoms verges on the other : some really animal structures 

 appearing disguised in vegetable forms, and vegetables with animal 

 appearances. Wern. Club. 



