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spongiae

spongiae


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Spongiae  \Spon"gi*[ae]\,  n.  pl  [See  {Sponge}.]  (Zo["o]l.) 
  The  grand  division  of  the  animal  kingdom  which  includes  the 
  sponges;  --  called  also  {Spongida},  {Spongiaria}, 
  {Spongiozoa},  and  {Porifera}. 
 
  Note:  In  the  Spongi[ae],  the  soft  sarcode  of  the  body  is 
  usually  supported  by  a  skeleton  consisting  of  horny 
  fibers,  or  of  silleceous  or  calcareous  spicules.  The 
  common  sponges  contain  larger  and  smaller  cavities  and 
  canals,  and  numerous  small  ampull[ae]  which  which  are 
  lined  with  ciliated  cells  capable  of  taking  in  solid 
  food.  The  outer  surface  usually  has  minute  pores 
  through  which  water  enters,  and  large  openings  for  its 
  exit  Sponges  produce  eggs  and  spermatozoa,  and  the  egg 
  when  fertilized  undergoes  segmentation  to  form  a 
  ciliated  embryo.