<)4f ACCOUNT OF BRITISH SPONGES. 



ance of the exterior part, differed somewhat from 

 the generality of Spongiae ; and as no radiating 

 pores or polypi could ever be discovered, it was 

 in contemplation to form them, and one or two 

 others, into a distinct genus. The discovery of 

 this new species of Spongia, induces me to recall 

 my assent to the formation of a new genus for 

 those obscure species originally considered by 

 Linnaeus as Alcyonia : but by removing them in- 

 to this genus, we shall follow the course of na- 

 ture, and accord with the opinion of that great 

 zoophytist Mr Ellis. This high authority has, 

 in a few words, defined the leading characters of 

 the Alcyonium and Spongia, and pointed out their 

 distinction. Speaking of Alcyonium in his intro- 

 duction to Spongia, These polype suckers," says 

 this naturalist, are the distinguishing charac- 

 ters of that genus, as much as the pores without 

 the polypes in these elastic fibrous bodies, is the 

 character of sponges." With this strongly mark- 

 ed character, stamped by so able and experienced 

 a zoophytist, we cannot hesitate to remove those 

 of the fibrous kind destitute of polypes from Al- 

 cyonium to Spongia ; and if ever Mr Ellis himself 

 had the smallest doubts upon the subject, such 

 would have been removed by the examination of 

 Spongia pcniciilus. 



The interior substance of this species, is pre- 

 cisely that of Lyncurium, but instead of being or- 

 bicular, it spreads horizontally upon marine bodies, 

 and shoots upwards from its surface cylindric 



