FUNNEL SPONGE. 



Generic Character. 



Animal ? fixed, flexible, torpid, of various forms; 

 compofed either of reticulated fibres, or 

 maffes of fmall fpines interwoven together ; 

 clothed with a living ? gelatinous flefh full 

 of fmall mouths or foramina on its furface, 

 by which it fucks in and throws out the 

 water. 



Specific Character, &c. 



FUNNEL- SHAPED FLEXILE SPONGE with 

 furface more or lefs irregular or roughened. 



CUP SPONGE. 



FUNNEL SPONGE. 



Sponges have afforded a field of controverfy for 

 phiiofophical obfervers, and may be numbered amongft 

 the moft obfeure or doubtful productions of nature. 

 By fome they have been fuppofed the fabric of certain 

 worms allied to Terebellas, which are often found 

 ftraying about in their cavities : an idea not very pro- 

 bable, and which is now fufficiently exploded. Others 

 R have 



