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A Series of Lessons in Gnani Yoga820
The sponge creature itself is a slimy, soft creature, which fills in the spaces in
its spongy skeleton. It is fastened to one spot, and gathers in its food from
the water around it (and oxygen as well), by means of numerous whip-like
filaments called cilia, which flash through the water driving in the food and
oxygen to the inner positions of its body. The water thus drawn in, as well
as the refuse from the food, is then driven out in the same manner. It is
interesting to note that in the organisms of the higher animals, including man,
there are numerous cilia performing offices in connection with nutrition,
etc. When Nature perfects an instrument, it is very apt to retain it, even in
the higher forms, although in the latter its importance may be dwarfed by
higher ones.
The next step in the ascending scale of life-forms is occupied by the polyps,
which are found in water, fastened to floating matter. The polyps fasten
themselves to this floating matter, with their mouths downward, from the
latter dangling certain tentacles, or thin, long arms. These tentacles contain
small thread-like coils in contact with a poisonous fluid, and enclosed in a
cell. When the tentacles come in contact with the prey of the creature, or
with anything that is sensed as a possible enemy, they contract around the
object and the little cells burst and the tiny thread-like coils are released
and twist themselves like a loop around the object, poisoning it with the
secreted fluid. Some of the polyps secrete flint-like tubes, which they
inhabit, and from the ends of which they emerge like flowers. From these
parent polyps emerge clusters of young, resembling buds. These bud-like
young afterwards become what are known as jelly-fishes, etc., which in turn
reproduce themselves—but here is a wonder—the jelly-fish lay eggs, which
when hatched produce stationary polyps like their grandparent, and not
moving creatures like their parents. The jelly-fishes have a comparatively
complex organism. They have an intricate system of canal-like passages with
which to convey their food and oxygen to the various parts. They also have
something like muscles, which contract and enable the creature to “swim.”
They also possess a “nervous system,” and, most wonderful of all, they have