X 88 S P O N G I A. 



but when it has Iain for fome time dry on the fhore, it 

 becomes whitifh and very light, and has the appearance, 

 when it is broke, of the crumb or foft part of bread. 



If it is examined with a common magnified glafs, we 

 find it compofed of an infinite number of minute fpines, 

 which if rubbed on the flefh will raife blifters like cow- 

 itch. It is remarked, that if it is dried in an oven this 

 peculiar property of flinging is much increafed, efpecially 

 that variety of it which is found on the fea coaft of North 

 America. 



8. Spongia Ventilabrum. Fan Sponge, 



Spongia flabelliformis This Sponge is fhaped like 



fiupofa^ venis lignofis re- a fan, of a tow-like fubftance, 



ticulatis^ obteSiis ports with woody reticulated veins, 



favigineis. \ which are covered with pores 



like a honeycomb. 



Sea-Fan Sponge, Phil. Tranf. Vol. 55. pag. 289, 

 tab. 11. fig. H. 



Spongia Ventilabra. Linn. Syft. Nat. Ed. 12. p. 1296. 



The fize of the fpecimen, which I received from Sta- 

 . vanger on the coaft of Norway, is but fix inches high 

 and five broad ; but there are much larger found on that 

 coaft. It has the exact refemblance of a fmall Fan Gor- 

 gonia, only the pores are of angular fhapes, and of a 

 fpongy nature ; fo that, as Dr. Linnaeus remarks, it looks 

 like a Gorgonia covered with a Sponge. 



TAB.58. g^ Spongia tubulofa. Pipy Sponge. 



Spongia tubulofa ra- This Sponge is full of tubes; 



mofa tenaxy tubulis fe- it is branched and elaftic ; 



cundu 



