







306 SPONGES. 
oval, the opposite sides at the narrowest diameter approach 
each other, coalesce and split, dividing all the internal or- 
gans, and the mouth and calyx, or collar, into two parts. 
Two other filaments grow up from these halves, and a fissure 
begins in the disk, which gradually spreads both upward and 
downward, until two transparent vases, complete in structure, 
swing upon the trunk which bore only one an hour before. 
This process in some species is continued until quite a cloud 
of descendants cluster around. the parent. branch, but in 
others, again, only separate and distinct individuals are pro- 
duced, the division totally separating the stem as well as the 
The sponge, probably, grows in the same way; but. the 
vases, having no stems, remain attached side by side, and 
secrete the gelatine and spicule, or horny hairs, from the 
lower surfaces of their bodies. These support the s 
and enable it to maintain a definite outline, and continue its 
growth without the danger of collapsing. 
There are several species on our coast, but the most 00: 
ticable is the great Halichondria, whose favorite resort 18 
old wharf-pile. This may not seem an attractive object, but 
Nature has clothed the whole coast with her living tapestries, 
and even here, her taste is as faultless, and her hand 38 
lavish in decoration, as in more favored and sunnier spots. 
Get into your boat, and when the tide is lowest float down 
under the wharves through which the current has 4 clean 
sweep. The waves lift the dank bladder-weeds and long 
green sea-hair which cover their stained sides, while below 
these, brown clusters of mussel-shells open their fring? 
mouths, and huge anemones, as thick as your arm, a 
their laced crowns of white, brown, crimson, or Val 
colors on the water-worn logs; and in the midst our gres 
sea-lungs hangs out its mass of branches, and sp 
weird fingers up towards the observer. Even the spons? 
is i 
beautiful in such places and with such associations. r 

