VERMIOLOGY. 



natural growth, without the adventitious aid of art or accident, may 

 however be relied upon. 



The colour of the Sponge in its present state is brown, and we 

 have no authority for improving that dusky colour to a warmer or 

 more lively tint ; at the same time it should be observed, since many 

 of the sponge tribe in the living state, are of a fine orange colour, 

 this particular species may also have partaken of that hue in its re- 

 cent state, and we are inclined to think it really has. 



This sponge, as before remarked, is throughout tubular, and 

 besides the larger or central hollow, which we trace from the base to 

 the terminal summits, the margin of the truncated lip is perforated 

 with little cells which descend perpendicularly, and are consequently 

 placed parallel to the larger opening in the substance of the sponge. 

 Some few of these cells or perforations have their aperture of an 

 obcordate form, but are more usually rotundate. The texture 

 of this sponge is close, the fibres being intimately interwoven ; to the 

 touch rigid and rather wiry. 



