DENDY NON-CALCAREOUS SPONGES 109 



with very little spongin, with numerous scattered oxea in the meshes between the 

 fibres. The dermal skeleton is an irregular network of similar fibre. 



Spicules. (1) Slightly curved oxea, gradually and sharply pointed at each end, 

 measuring about 0-19 by 0-008 mm. (2) Slender sigmata, usually simply C-shaped, 

 measuring about 0-0164 mm. from hend to bend. 



Previously known Distribution. Ceylon Seas (Dendy). 



Register Numbers, Locality, &c. XXXIV. 6, 12, Channel, W. side of S. end of Beyt 

 Island, 3-4 fms., 3.1.06. 



16. Reniera permollis (Bowerbank). 



Isodictya permollis Bowerbank [1866]. 



I identify with this species a number of encrusting specimens growing over the 

 parchment-like worm-tubes that are so abundant in the collection. The colour in spirit 

 (after formalin) is rather dark brown ; the texture very soft and friable ; the surface 

 very minutely hispid owing to the projection of the ends of the primary skeletal lines. 

 The oscula are small and scattered. The crusts attain a considerable size, but are so 

 irregular that it is useless to give dimensions. 



The skeleton is an irregular isodictyal reticulation, for the most part of single 

 spicules, but there is a strong tendency to form primary lines several spicules thick and 

 separated from one another by intervals of about one spicule's length. 



The oxea are gently curved, gradually and sharply pointed, and measure up to 

 about 0-12 by 0-006 mm., agreeing very closely with Bowerbank's figure and 

 measurement. 



This seems to be quite a good identification, especially as Bowerbank mentions 

 the " nut-brown colour," but whether R. permollis is more than varietally distinct 

 from R. cinerea may be regarded as an open question. 



Previously known Distribution. British Seas (Bowerbank). 



Register Numbers, Localities, &c. XX. 1, Adatra ; XXX. 3, 3|-4 fms., N. of 

 Poshetra, 20.12.05 ; XXXII. 4, off Beyt. 



17. Reniera topsenti Thiele. 



Reniera cinerea (Grant) var. porosa Topsent [1901]. 

 Reniera topsenti Thiele [1905]. 



Three well-preserved pieces, possibly parts of the same specimen, agree 

 remarkably closely in external form with Topsent's figure and fairly closely with 

 Thiele's. The sponge is depressed and ramo-lobose in form, with numerous large, 

 slightly prominent vents. The surface has a porous appearance, but is really 

 covered by a thin, almost aspiculous dermal membrane. The texture is rather 

 soft and friable ; the colour in alcohol (after at any rate some formalin) light 

 brown. The skeleton is a rather irregular network of mostly single spicules, 



H 



