132 OKHAMANDAL MARINE ZOOLOGY REPORT PART II 



From Bubaris vermiculata the species differs in its mode of growth and in the 

 replacement of the " vermicular " spicules by much less bent strongyla. 



The descriptions, measurements and figures of the spicules, as well as the figures 

 of the external form, are taken from R.N. III. 7 a, which may be regarded as the type 

 of the species. 



Register Numbers, Localities, &c. II. 10, off Poshetra, 7 January, '06 ; III. la, b, 

 (two fragments), off Dwarka. 



46. Spirastrella vagabunda var. tubulodigitata Dendy. (Plate IV., Fig. 25). 



(For possible Synonymy, vide Vosmaer [1911]). 



There is in the collection a single specimen (Fig. 25) which agrees very closely in 

 external form and spiculation with the Ceylon types. It consists of a single tubular 

 process with terminal vent, and a few much smaller, irregularly ramified, blind pro- 

 cesses, all arising from a common base containing much coarse sand. 



Previously known Distribution of the Variety. Gulf of Mannar and Ceylon Seas 

 (Dendy). 



Register Number, Locality, &c. IV. 10, off S.W. coast of Beyt Island. 



47. Placospongia carinata (Bowerbank). 



(For Literature and Synonymy vide Vosmaer and Vernhout [1902] and Dendy 

 [1905]). 



This remarkable sponge appears to be quite common in the Indian Ocean. 



Previously knoivn Distribution. Tropical Seas between 30 N. and 20 S. of the 

 equator (Vosmaer and Vernhout, &c.). 



Register Numbers, Localities, &c. XXVI. 9, Adatra Reefs, 25 December, '05 ; 

 XXVJI. 2, 3 and XXXIII. 4, Dhed Mora and adjacent rocky ground between Beyt and 

 Aramra, 1 fm., 21.12.05. 



48. Cliona coronaria (Carter). 



Suberites coronarius Carter [1882, 1887]. 



This interesting species was first described by Carter from specimens in the Bower- 

 bank collection in the British Museum, coming from Honduras, Jamaica and the 

 Bahamas. These specimens were described as " massive, lobate, verrucose on the 

 surface." The characteristic microsclere was described as a " Spinispirula consisting of 

 one bend, semicircular, with the spines on the outside and over the ends only ; spines 

 capitate and in single file." 



Mr. Carter's original preparations of these three sponges are in my possession, 

 and I am able to verify the general accuracy of his brief description and figures of the 

 spiculation. The capitate character of the spines of the microscleres is, however, not 

 always recognisable, and may be in part due to optical illusion. 



