ClipArt ETC
"Simple sponge (Ascetta primordialis). Note the vase-like form, the apical osculum, the inhalant pores in the walls." -Thomson, 1916

A. Primordialis

"Simple sponge (Ascetta primordialis). Note the vase-like form, the apical osculum, the inhalant pores…

A sponge colony.

Sponge Colony

A sponge colony.

"Diagrammatic representation of development of Oscarella lobularis. Bl., Free-swimming blastula with flagella; G., gastrula settled down. Next figure shows folding of inner layer (En.); Ec., outer layer. Lowest figure shows radial chambers (R.C.); Mesogloea (Mg.); inhalant pore (P.); exhalant osculum (O.)." -Thomson, 1916

O. Lobularis

"Diagrammatic representation of development of Oscarella lobularis. Bl., Free-swimming blastula with…

"Sponge spicules. 1, Monaxon; 2, triod; 3, triaxon; 4, tetraxon; 5, anchor; 6, polyaxon; 7, a kind of amphidisc." -Thomson, 1916

Sponge Spicules

"Sponge spicules. 1, Monaxon; 2, triod; 3, triaxon; 4, tetraxon; 5, anchor; 6, polyaxon; 7, a kind of…

In this simple sponge, water enters minute holes in the sides and passes out of the opening at the top of the tube.

Sponge

In this simple sponge, water enters minute holes in the sides and passes out of the opening at the top…

In this simple sponge, part of the outer wall is cut away to show the inside.

Sponge

In this simple sponge, part of the outer wall is cut away to show the inside.

A cross-section of a simple tubular sponge.

Sponge

A cross-section of a simple tubular sponge.

A diagram of a commercial sponge.

Sponge

A diagram of a commercial sponge.

An illustration of the lower portion of a sponge. O, OS, and M are illustrations of sponge eggs magnified forty times. The sponges or poriferans (from Latin porus "pore" and ferre "to bear") are animals of the phylum Porifera. Their bodies consist of an outer thin layer of cells, the pinacoderm and an inner mass of cells and skeletal elements, the choanoderm. Sponges do not have nervous, digestive or circulatory systems. Instead most rely on maintaining a constant water flow through their bodies to obtain food and oxygen and to remove wastes, and the shapes of their bodies are adapted to maximize the efficiency of the water flow.

Lower Section of Sponge

An illustration of the lower portion of a sponge. O, OS, and M are illustrations of sponge eggs magnified…

An illustration of the upper portion of a sponge: p, Pore; s, Subdermal cavity; c1, chief fiver of the skeleton; c2, connecting film. The sponges or poriferans (from Latin porus "pore" and ferre "to bear") are animals of the phylum Porifera. Their bodies consist of an outer thin layer of cells, the pinacoderm and an inner mass of cells and skeletal elements, the choanoderm. Sponges do not have nervous, digestive or circulatory systems. Instead most rely on maintaining a constant water flow through their bodies to obtain food and oxygen and to remove wastes, and the shapes of their bodies are adapted to maximize the efficiency of the water flow.

Upper Section of Sponge

An illustration of the upper portion of a sponge: p, Pore; s, Subdermal cavity; c1, chief fiver of the…

Sycon ciliatum, a sponge.

Sycon Ciliatum

Sycon ciliatum, a sponge.

Sycon gelatinosum, a sponge.

Sycon Gelatinosum

Sycon gelatinosum, a sponge.

"Transverse section through the wall of a cylinder (parallel with the course of the canals), showing one incurrent canal (IC), and one radial (R) throughout their length; sp, triradiate spicules; sp', oxeote spicules of dermal cortex (dc); sp'', tetraradiate spicules of gastral cortex (gc); ec, ectoderm; en, endoderm; pm, pore membrane; pp, prosopyles; ap, apopyle; di, diaphragm; exc, excurrent passage; PG, paragastric cavity; em, early embryo; em, late embryo. The arrows indicate the course of the water through the sponge." -Parker, 1900

Sycon Gelatinosum

"Transverse section through the wall of a cylinder (parallel with the course of the canals), showing…