Story
Katha
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Folktales
Bhagavad Gita

Chapter III - Wonder World Under Water III [Sponges] [This book has been distributed into different chapter for easier access. Picture shown - are not part of the book.]

While the most primitive animals are made of one cell, sponges are multicellular, i.e., their bodies are made of many cells. Most sponges live in sea. A typical sponge has many tiny pores (holes) through which water (because it contains air) is taken in for breathing; the water leaves the sponge from a larger hole situated at the top of the body. If a sponge is squashed by pressing, its cells will separate but after some time, they will come together and the sponges will again take its original shape. Sponges have tiny, needle-like spicules inside their bodies that are made of silica or sponging. When the sponge dies or decays, this skeleton of spicules remains behind. Before foam rubber was invented, dry sponges were used to soak up water in homes and by artists to clean their paint boxes and brushes.

Sponges are usually Vase-shaped, but the shape sometimes varies, depending on the strength of the water current where they live.

Continue to Chapter IV - Wonder World Under Water IV [Sea Anemones and Jelly Fish]