THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, November 1 , 1859. 
71 
attention at the rocks and other portions of our Bhore which 
have been exposed by the receding tide, cannot have failed to 
notice some irregular masses of a yellow fungous substance 
adhering to them, taking the form of small conical hillocks per¬ 
forated at the apex—-presenting somewhat the appearance of 
miniature volcanoes. This is tlie “ crumb-of-bread Sponge,” 
(ITalichondria panicea), one of the commonest species, and well 
suited for the examination of its formation, which we shall detail 
presently. In similar situations may be found, although more 
rarely, the graceful Sack Sponge (Grantia compress a), which 
looks like a flat angular bag of a whitish colour, each angle 
having an orifice. The Sack Sponges are generally found in 
clusters, depending by a narrow base either from the bare surface 
of the rocks or from tho branches of various Sea-weeds. It is 
unnecessary to draw attention to any other species, as these two 
are those chiefly seen on our coasts and display the characteristics 
of all the others. 
The general character of the Sponge may be described as of no 
regular shape, very elastic, flexible and tenacious, porous, rough 
on the surface, and of a woolly texture. It consists of numerous 
horny fibrous canals communicating one with the other, and 
when taken from the water is covered with a transparent gela¬ 
tinous slime, with a powerful flshv smell, and so fluid as to run 
off when removed from its native element. Yet this clear slime 
is the flesh of the animal; the Sponge, as we see in daily use, 
being merely the skeleton cleaned and dried. This skeleton i3 
composed of one or two of the following substances Flint, 
lime, and a peculiar horny matter. In some species the flint and 
lime being crystallised, form a series of spicular needles, varying 
in length and thickness, but always maintaining the same form. 
The horny matter of which the Sponge in ordinary use affords 
an example, is arranged in tough, solid fibres, irregularly united 
to each other. The orifices on the surface corresponding with 
the canals with which the animal is perforated, are supposed to 
be the mouths ; and in life the surrounding w r ater flows through 
one series of these ducts in a continual current (interrupted, 
however, at the will of the animal), from without into the 
interior of the body, and is afterwards discharged by another 
series, thus maintaining a perfect system of circulation. The 
mode in which the current is kept up is by certain cilia, or 
threads, lining the pores, or ducts. 
Tho manner in which Sponges reproduce their species is suffi¬ 
ciently curious. There are remarked, at certain seasons of the 
year, in the channels of the living Sponge, innumerable yellow¬ 
looking granules imbedded in the jelly-like flesh. These gradually 
increase in bulk ; and on being freed from the slimy mass, they 
are instantly carried away through the nearest outlet by the per¬ 
petually out-flowing current. They are provided at one ex¬ 
tremity with numberless minute threads, by the lashing motion 
of which they are rowed along the water until they meet with 
a suitable resting place, to which they at once adhere, spreading 
out an adhesive gelatinous film, and absorbing its cilia (threads) 
for which it has now no further use. From the spot chosen 
they movo no more, but gradually increase in hulk, and soon 
develope the structure and exercise the functions of the parent 
Sponge. The care and providence of an All-wise Creator, even 
of so humble a member of the great family, are worthy of the 
deepest admiration. lie has ordained that these helpless little 
creatures should for a time be endowed with the power of loco¬ 
motion, denied them in their adult state. Were it not for these 
means of separating themselves from the parent, they would of 
necessity congregate in enormous masses; as the parent, itself 
utterly deprived of locomotive power, would be utterly incapable 
of dispersing to any distance the numerous progeny it produces. 
Sponges are generally found in shallow water. Those which 
reside in the deeper recesses of the sea are of larger size and 
finer texture than those which are exposed to the action of the 
waves. These are procured by divers, and in many of the 
Grecian Islands diving for Sponge is an ordinary occupation of 
the inhabitants. 
The horny Sponge is almost wholly confined to the warmer 
seas ; but the calcareous, and more especially the flinty speci¬ 
mens, are common to our latitude. 
The sense of feeling in Sponges seems to be either strangely 
obtuse, or altogether wanting, no evidence of its existence having 
been noticed. They may be torn asunder, burnt with hot irons, 
or subjected to the action of powerful acids, without betraying 
the slightest evidence of sensation. Still a convincing proof 
of their animal nature is furnished by the strong amino- 
niacal smell given out hy them when burnt, and which is peculiar 
to animal matter. Independently of which, by carefully watch¬ 
ing a living Sponge it will be found to exhibit an energetic and 
continuous action, which would be sufficient of itself to de- 
monstratc the existence of a vital principle.—W. 
(To he continued ,) 
FRUITS ADAPTED TO THE VARIOUS 
LOCALITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
(Continued from page 56.) 
PEARS. 
Duchesse de Maks. —Fruit medium sized, obovate. 
Skiu yellow, with a tinge of reddish-brown next the sun, 
and considerably covered with brown russet. Eye small 
and closed, set in a shallow depression. Stalk an inch 
long, inserted without depression. Flesh buttery, melt¬ 
ing, juicy, and well flavoured. Ripe in November. 
Duchesse d’Orleans (Beurre St. Nicholas; St. 
Nicholas).— Fruit large and pyriform. Skin yellow on 
the shaded side, but with a tinge of red on the side next 
the sun, mottled with greenish-brown russet. Eye open, 
set in a wide, shallow basin. Stalk three quarters of an 
inch long. Flesh yellowish-white, melting, buttery and 
juicy, with a rich, sugary, and vinous flavour, and fine 
aroma. A most delicious pear, ripe in October. 
Dunmore. —Fruit large, oblong-obovate. Skin greenish, 
marked with numerous dots and patches of brown russet, 
and with a brownish-red tinge next the sun. Eye small 
and open, set in a rather deep and narrow basin. Stalk 
an inch and a half long. Flesh yellowish-white, buttery, 
and melting, with a rich sugary flavour. Ripe in Sep¬ 
tember and October. 
Early Beurre. See Ambrosia. 
Early Catherine (of America). See Early Eousselet. 
Early Rose Angle. See Citron des Carmes. 
Early Rousselet (De Chypre; Cypress; Early Ca¬ 
therine ; Perdreaux; Perdreaux MusguSe; Rousselet 
Hdtif). —Fruit small, pyriform! Skin smooth, yellow in 
the shade, and bright red next the sun, covered with 
grey dots. Eye small, placed in a shallow basin. Stalk 
an inch long, inserted without depression. Flesh yel¬ 
lowish, crisp, tender and juicy, sweet and perfumed. 
An early pear, ripe in the end of July and beginning of 
August. 
Early Charnock. See Charnoch. 
Early Sugar. See Amire Joannet. 
Easter Bergamot (Bergamotte de Rugi; Bergamotte 
de Pagues; Bergamotte de Toulouse; Paddington; 
Roberts' Keeping; Royal Tairlon ; Tarling). — Fruit 
medium sized, roundish-turbinate. Skin pale green at 
first, but changing to pale yellow, and covered with 
numerous brownish-grey dots. Eye small, set in a 
shallow basin. Stalk an inch long, set in a small cavity. 
Flesh white, slightly gritty, crisp and juicy, sweet and 
aromatic. In use from March to April. 
Easter Beurre (Beurre de la Pentecote; Beurre An- 
glaise ; Beurre de Pagues; Beurre d’Hiver de Bruxelles ; 
Bergamotte d'Hirer; Bergamotte de la Pentecote; Ber¬ 
gamotte Tardive; Canning; Canning d’ Hirer; Doyenne 
d’Hiver; Doyenne d’Hirer Nouveau; Doyenne de Pagues; 
Doyenne de Printemps ; Du Pdtre ; Philippe de Pagues ; 
Seigneur d’Hirer ; Sylvange d’Hiver). — Fruit large, 
obovate, inclining to ovate. Skin pale green at first, 
but inclining to yellowish-green, and sometimes with a 
brownish tinge next the sun, marked with a few patches 
of russet, and strewed with numerous large russet dots. 
Eye small, with long, narrow, incurved segments set in a 
pretty deep cavity. Stalk an inch long, stout, inserted 
in a deep narrow cavity. Flesh white, buttery, and 
melting, very juicy, sugary, and richly flavoured. 
One of the best late pears, in use from January till 
March, 
