\Spon"gi*[ae]\, n. pl. [See {Sponge}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The grand division of the animal kingdom which includes the
sponges; -- called also {Spongida}, {Spongiaria},
{Spongiozoa}, and {Porifera}.
Note: In the Spongi[ae], the soft sarcode of the body is
      usually supported by a skeleton consisting of horny
      fibers, or of silleceous or calcareous spicules. The
      common sponges contain larger and smaller cavities and
      canals, and numerous small ampull[ae] which which are
      lined with ciliated cells capable of taking in solid
      food. The outer surface usually has minute pores
      through which water enters, and large openings for its
      exit. Sponges produce eggs and spermatozoa, and the egg
      when fertilized undergoes segmentation to form a
      ciliated embryo.