Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... yellow color. They usually prefer rocks slightly elevated above the bottom, but in some cases they grew directly on the bottom where they were surrounded by sand. When brought to the surface and exposed to the air they almost imediately begin to blacken, beginning to change color, first where they were bruised, even ever so slightly, then the dark hues spread rapidly over the entire sponge. When handled, the mucous-like substance which exuded from them also oxodized and stained the hands black. H AT spicules of Fresh Water A, spicules of Salt Water Sponges: Sponge; B, ova of t ante. P, spicules of Fresh Water Sponges., Upon the closest examination, I could not perceive the slightest shrinking nor any contraction.of the sarcode, nor any changes whatever in the diameter of the orifice in the middle of the closing membiane of the cential tube. We also procured a quantity of these sponges at Allen's Harbor, about three miles north of Highburn Key, all growing in comparatively sheltered situations, as at Highburn Key: that is never directly in swift tide ways, but always in moderately strong currents, where they could receive a constant supply of fresh water. When first taken from the water, the Orange Tube Sponges are quite firm, but as soon as they are dead they soften considerably, and in order to dry them in a natural form they must be laid perfectly flat and turned frequently. Unless the cylinders are very short they cannot be dried in an upright position, as they are liable to bend. This species has a peculiarly sweetish odor, not as disagreeable as in many other sponges and this is retained in the dried spscimens to a great degree; this odor is particularly noticeable upon wetting a dried specimen. When thoroughly soaked, the dried...