THE 



BRITISH SPONGES 



THEIR SPECIES. 



Fi(j. 11. 



iio 



Alcyoxium riciTS, Esper. 



" It is frequent, even with some who pretend to be naturalists, to 

 vilify the fundamental parts of natural history — who view the particular 

 species and bodies in nature; their systematic arrangement ; their correct 

 denomination ; and the description of their parts and properties ; as a 

 study too minute, frivolous, and beneath their notice ; whose large views 

 are only directed to what they call the volume of nature, and the great 

 lines in natural history. But I know of no great lines in natural liistory 

 tiiat are not composed of small ones : nor have I ever had occasion to ad- 

 mire any man's knowledge concerning a great line, that was ignorant of 

 its component parts." — Rev. Dr Walker. 



