Of Sea-Plants. 
Part II. 
Horny Sea-Shrubs. So that it is a property belonging to mod 
of tne Vegetable Productions in the Sea. 
It is the Opinion of fome, that Sponges have fenfe, be- 
am fe faid to ihrink, if they are pluck'd 3 and are therefore 
reckoned amongft Zoopbyta. But of that property I doubt 
very much. For a Sponge being a fpringy Body, and fo 
exteniible, and yielding a little to one that plucks at it 3 fo 
foon as he lets his hold go, it will, from its elafticity, fhrink 
up again. Which motion of reftitution, fome probably, 
have miftaken for the effecl: of a Cap-Senfe. 
No Sponge hath any Lignous Fibers, but is wholly com- 
preifed 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 vihble to a good eye, efpe- 
cially aflifted with an ord^iary Glafs. So that n Sponge, in 
ftead of being a Zoophyton, is but the one half of a Plant. 
PART 
