5 3 Of Sea-Plant*. Part II. 
limty Sea-Shrubs. So that it is a property belonging to moil 
or the Vegetable Productions in the Sea. 
It is the Opinion of fome, that Sponges have fenfe, be- 
caufe faid to ihrink, if they are pluck’d ; and are therefore 
reckon d among ft Zoophyta. But of that property I doubt 
very much. For a Sponge being a fpringy Body, and fo 
extenlible, and yielding a little to one that plucks at it • fo 
foon as he lets his hold go, it will, from its elafticity, ihrink 
up again. Which motion of reftitution, fome probably 
have miftaken for the effect of a Cap-Senfe. ’ 
No Sponge hath any Lignous Fibers, but is wholly com- 
prefled 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, foas to be vifibleto a good eye, efpe- 
ciahy affifted with an ordinary Glafs. So that a Sponge, m 
itead of being a Zoophyton , is but the one half of a Plant. 
PART 
