OR, GLIMPSES BENEATH THE WATERS. 



more slender, and in the form of a branching rod, 

 as its name imports. (See Plate VIII.) 



The Sponges form a curious class of Zoophytes, 

 which have perhaps a much closer affinity to plants 

 than any other. They are occasionally very sportive, 

 and curious in their forms ; and Dr. Johnston enu- 

 merates fifty-six species belonging to our coasts; 

 they are, however, unsuited to the Aquarium in the 

 present state of our knowledge ; and when portions 

 of rock are collected on the shore, for the tank, care 

 should be taken to clear off any Sponge formations 

 that are perceived, as their certain and rapid decay 

 would be liable to injure the condition of the whole 

 colony of the Aquarium. 



63 



