Sponge Apology

I understand that many readers would have been concerned about my cutting short the last sponge post. To make up for it here are some serious facts about sponge for your reading and information pleasure.

1 Until late in the 1800s Sponge was considered a planimal (Zoophyte) They were lumped in this cateogary with creatures like Big Foot, Lord Lucan and Nessy in being neither a plant or an amimal (or both I guess) Anyway we now know that they have cells and are therefore animals. Lumped together in this cateogary with gorrilas, Ronald McDonald and Snakes.

2 There are over 10,000 names for sponge. Scientists estimate that only 6,000 are valid. There are 4,000 species yet to be discovered.

3 There are ONLY twelve species of commercial bath sponge. You can't use any old sponge in the bath, at least not right out of the ocean. Fishermen test the safety of sponges by squeezing them.