Of SPONGES. 
TER Mr. Ellis , the beam of whofe lynxean eye penetrated fo far into 
Cor ' a U t[le bidden fyftem of divine contrivance difcoverable in the animated race of 
Jefs lnCSj 3nc ^ w ^° a ^° w * l h care inveftigates the nature of fponge, it were need- 
• Comm ent anew on the ftru&ure of thofe capillary tubes of which that pro- 
ctl °n confiffs. 
c 0n ? 1Tl obfervations on the ramifications of fponges hejufily draws the following 
«c 10ns : ct That from the many obvious refemblances to divers other clafles of 
<c P^uftions which are found to be of animal conftrudtion, and from the 
«» t j ie miCa ^ analyfis of fponges in general, there feems fufficient reafon to give 
01 a place among animated beings.” 
’j’h 
0(1 the / Urport °E th e prefent ftridture is to verify that pofition, which the remarks 
°raner Number mult powerfully fupport. 
£//■ c 
fep ar * Us Eays, that he had feldom met with fponges until they had been long 
ne ar th C from t ^ ie places where they grew ; and recommends it to thofe, who live 
l Eem 6 Coa ^ s w bere they are found,, to give further information with refpeft to 
The 
br 0u , annexiSc l plate is a reprefentation of fome fpecimens copied when recently: 
fath ftlv , a htore : they were dredged up with fome corals, &c. in about thirty 
0:1 Water. 
^Iftincfc °^ >i ' erVa ^ > ^ e tIiat t ^ ie Sponges A a have feparate origins ; they arife from two 
Ute 5 and° 0tS> ° r rat ^ er two unconne&ed fyftems of tubes : they approach, inofcu- 
C ° nr >exi unite themfelves together into one mafs; the fmalleft being, by this 
Wh ° n y l 0 ^ ’ n the general fpread of the larger fponge. Perhaps no 
^Vh c 
0n j merely vegetable, is capable of fuch an union. 
*he tub^ ^* Ges ofthefeare attentively examined by themicrofcope, it is evident 
3fe Wo- ^ ° r ^rous ramifications, increafe in fize as they expand in number, and 
Pt 0du ^ r ln proportion as they recede from the roots, or firft formed parts of the 
lh th e p^ Jn - This is diredly contrary to the order of nature ey?ry where obfervable 
res of plants,. 
Some 
<V 
