The Origin of Sponge-Spicules

Abstract

To account for the extraordinarily beautiful and varied forms of sponge-spicules, with their wonderful symmetry, has long been one of the most puzzling problems of the zoologist. After more years of investigation than I care to number, I have arrived at certain conclusions that may interest the readers of NATURE. It is, however, a long story, of which I cannot here give more than the barest outline, to be followed, I hope, by a fuller account in another place. For the sake of brevity I must also confine my remarks almost exclusively to siliceous spicules.