N 
FAN SPONGE. 
Generic Character. 
/ 
Animalt fixed, flexible, torpid, of various forms; 
compofed either of reticulated fibres, ormaffes 
of fmall fpines interwoven together; cloathed 
with a gelatinous flefh full of fmall mouths 
or foramina on its furface, by which it fucks 
in and throws out the water. 
Specific Character , &c. 
Fan-fhaped orbicular cartilaginous SPONGE, 
with quadrangularly-reticulated fibres* 
Blackifh fan-fhaped Indian SPONGE. 
Cartilaginous Fan-Sponge. 
This curious Sponge differs greatly in habit or 
general form from mod of its congeners, bearing a 
flrong refemblance to fomc of the reticulated Gor- 
goniae : this is alfo the cafe with another fpecies of 
fponge, viz. the Spongia Ventilabrum of Linnteus. 
The prefent fpecies is a native of the Indian feas, 
and is fometimes found confiderably larger than the 
fpecimen here reprefented. 
