112 ZOOLOGY SECT. 



framework, developed in the mesoglcBa from cells derived from 

 the ectoderm, consists in some cases of fine, flexible fibres of a 

 material termed spongin ; in others of spongin-fibres supplemented 

 by microscopic siliceous spicules ; in others of siliceous spicules 

 alone ; in others of spicules of carbonate of lime. Reproduction 

 takes place both asexually by the formation of gemmtdes, and 

 sexually by means of ova and sperms. The ovum develops into a 

 ciliated free-swimming larva, which afterwards becomes fixed and 

 develops into the plant-like adult Sponge. 



The Sponges are sufficiently far removed in structure from the 

 rest of the Metazoa to justify us in looking upon them as con- 

 stituting one of the great divisions or phyla of the animal kingdom. 

 At the same time there is so much uniformity of structure within 

 the group that a division into classes is not demanded ; the phylum 

 Porifera contains a single class. 



The class Porifera is classified as follows : — 



Sub-Class I. — Calcarea. 



Sponges with a skeleton of calcareous spicules, and with com- 

 paratively large collared cells. 



Order 1. — Homoccela 



Calcareous Sponges in which the internal lining membrane 

 consists throughout of fl„agellate collared cells. 



Order 2. — Heteroccela. 



Calcareous Sponges in which the paragastric cavity is lined by 

 flattened cells, the collared cells being restricted to flagellate 

 canals or chambers. 



Sub-Class II. — Hexactinellida. 



Sponges with six-rayed, tri-axon, siliceous spicules, and simple 

 canal system represented by unbranched or branched flagellate 

 chambers. 



Sub-Class III. — Demospongia. 



Sponges either devoid of skeleton or with spongin fibres alone, 

 or a combination of spongin fibres and siliceous spicules, the 

 latter, Avhen present, never six-rayed ; the canal system of the 

 Rhagon type (p. 118), usually complicated. 



Systematic Position of the Example. 



Sycon gelatinosum is one of many species of the genus Sycon. 

 Sycon is one of several genera of the family Sycettidce ; and the 



