Aristotle was uncertain whether sponges were animals, which in his system ought to have sensation, appetite, and locomotion, or plants, which did not: he knew that sponges could sense touch, and would contract if about to be pulled off their rocks, but that they were rooted like plants and never moved about.
Aristoteles tidak yakin apakah spons adalah hewan, yang dalam sistemnya harus memiliki sensasi, nafsu makan, dan pergerakan, atau tumbuhan, yang jelas bukan: dia tahu bahwa spons bisa merasakan sentuhan, dan akan berkontraksi jika hendak ditarik dari bebatuan mereka, tetapi bahwa spons berakar seperti tumbuhan dan tidak pernah bergerak.