porifera

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre to bear. ] (Zool.) A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges; -- called also Spongiæ, Spongida, and Spongiozoa. The principal divisions are Calcispongiæ, Keratosa or Fibrospongiæ, and Silicea. [ 1913 Webster ]