Of Sea-Plants. 
P A R T II. 
Homy Sea-Shrubs. So that it is a property belonging to moft 
of the Vegetable Productions in the Sea. 
It is the Opinion of fome, that Sponges have fenfe, be- 
caufe faid to fhrink, if they are pluck'd 5 and are therefore 
reckon d amongft Zoophyta. But of that property I doubt 
very much. For a Sponge being a fpringy Body, and fo 
extenfible, and yielding a little to one that plucks at it 5, fo 
foon as he lets his hold go, it will, from its elafticity, fhrink 
up again. Which motion of reftitution, fome probably, 
have mi (taken for the effect of a Cap-Senfe. 
No Spoyige hath any Lignous Fibers, but is wholly com- 
preffed of thofe which make the Pith and all the pithy parts 
of a Plant. Yet vaftly thicker, and their Texture much 
more rare or open, fo as to be vifible to a good eye, efpe- 
cially aflifted with an ordinary Glafs. So that a Sponge^ in 
ftead of being a Zoopbyton, is but the one half of a Plant. 
PART 
