OF THE NATURE OF SPONGES. 25 



closing it when they have gone in." It nourishes also ani- 

 mals within itself, both worms and other similar creatures, 

 which, when the sponge is plucked off the rock, fishes de- 

 vour, as well as the roots which are left behind : but the 

 sponge, being torn up, will grow again from the remaining 

 part and fill out as before. 



" There are three sorts of sponges, — one of loose, ano- 

 ther of close or compact texture, and the third, which they 

 call Achilleum, is very fine, and very thick and very 

 strong ; which they put under helmets and greaves (viz. be- 

 tween the armour and the skin), whereby blows are ren- 

 dered less stunning ; but this kind is very rare. Of the 

 compact sponges, those which are very hard and rough are 

 called trar/V* " The loose sponges are the largest, 

 and the thick close ones the softest, for the Achilleans are 

 firmer than these last. But, in general, those which grow 

 in deep and still water are the softest ; for the wind and 

 waves harden sponges as they do other things that grow, 

 and check their growth ; on which account those in the 

 Hellespont are rough and thick, and in general those which 

 are beyond the Malean promontory, and those within it dif- 

 fer in being softer or harder : but the situation ought not 

 to be too warm and sheltered, for the sponge, like other 

 things which grow, is liable to rot ; wherefore those on 

 the shores are the finest when they are near deep water, 



' " Of spunges, we find three sorts : the first thicke, exceeding 

 bard, and rough ; and this is called Tragos : a second, not a\\ so thicke, 

 and somewhat softer; and that is named Manon : the third is fine and 

 yet compact, wherewith they make sponges to cleanse and scoure withal!, 

 and this is tearmed Achilleum." Pliny, Trans. P. Holland, i. p. 262. 

 The name Tragos, " he-goat," refers to the coarse shaggy appear- 

 ance of the sponge so called ; Manon m Greek denotes a loose open tex 

 ture, full of apertures. 



