Latin Texts & Translations

We find three ^[Note] kinds of sponges mentioned; the first are

thick, very hard, and rough, and are called "tragi:" ^[Note] the second, are thick, and much softer, and are called "mani;" ^[Note] of the third, being fine and of a closer texture, tents for sores are made; this last is known as "Achillium." ^[Note] All of these sponges grow on rocks, and feed upon ^[Note] shell-and other fish, and slime. It would appear that these creatures, too, have some intelligence; for as soon as ever they feel ^[Note] the hand about to tear them off, they contract themselves, and are separated with much greater difficulty: they do the same also when the waves buffet them to and fro. The small shells that are found in them, clearly show that they live upon food: about Torone ^[Note] it is even said that they will survive after they have been detached, and that they grow again from the roots

which have been left adhering to the rock. They leave a colour similar to that of blood upon the rock from which they have been detached, and those more especially which are produced in the Syrtes of Africa. ^[Note]

The manos is the one that grows to the largest size, but the softest of all are those found in the vicinity of Lycia. Where the sea is deep and calm, they are more particularly soft, while those which are found in the Hellespont are rough, and those in the vicinity of Malea coarse. ^[Note] When lying in places exposed to the sun, they become putrid: hence it is that those which are found in deep water are the best. While they are alive, they are of the same blackish colour that they are when saturated with water. They adhere to the rock not by one part only, nor yet by the whole body: and within them there are a number of empty tubes, generally four or five in number, by means of which, it is thought, they take their food. There are other tubes also, but these are closed at the upper extremity; and a sort of membrane is supposed to be spread beneath the roots by which they adhere. It is well known that sponges are very long-lived. The most inferior kind of all are those which are called "aplysiæ," ^[Note] because it is impossible to clean them: these have large tubes, while the other parts of them are thick and coarse.