﻿SPONGES.-HALLMANN. _, , , 



are usually less than ioo}t. The superficial fibres are echi- 

 nated by spicules showing all gradations of form between the 

 shortest accessory and the longest principal spicules. In this 

 species therefore, as in the preceding, there is no line of 

 separation between these two classes of spicules, so that it is 

 impossible to assign any upper limit to the length of the 

 former or lower limit to the length of the latter. Both kinds 

 are typically curved, with the greatest curvature in the basal 

 moiety. The principal spicules may attain a size of 

 410 X 12 }i; they are conical tylostyli in which the surface of 

 the tylosis is rugged or obscurely spined ; in the larger in- 

 dividuals the shaft is, with rare exceptions, free from 

 inequalities. The auxiliary spicules are subtylostyli usually 

 basally tipped with a minute spination ; they vary in length 

 from 130 (or less) to about 340 n, and the stoutest are 

 4.5 jf in diameter. The isochelae are fairly abundant and 

 I each a length of 13 /(. Very slender toxa, with straight arms 

 and only a slight median flexure, are rare ; they reach a maxi- 

 mum length of at least 260 fi. The slender hair-like spicules 

 mentioned by W'hitelegge are incipient auxiliary spicules. The 

 locality of the specimen, according to its label, is Western 

 Australia. The Echinonenia anchoraturn var. lameUosa, 

 Lendenfeld, which from its description is possibly a species of 

 WiJsiineUa, was recorded from Port Chalmers, New Zealand. 



Whitelegge has, accordingly, described in all nine new 

 species of CJatliria, viz., C. tenuifibra, C. multipes,^ nom. 

 nov., C. striaia, C. calopora, C. arciiophora, C. clathyata (as 

 Microciotia), C. diccJiiiiata, nom. nov., (\ tcnebrata (as 

 f\Ji(iphidophIu.s), and (". bispinosa^ (as Rhaphidophlus). 



1 In the remarks on the genus PJectinpa. Lendf., it was pointed out 

 that the Clnt- i (Plertiff n) a '>•/> Whitelegge, is distinct from Len- 

 denfeld's species of that name. Since the specific named mhoren is based 

 on a mistaken identification and is, moreover, quite inappropriate, its 

 retention is undesirable, and I therefore propose for this sponge the 

 name ti e in reference to its habit of forming a number of attach- 

 ment-stalks. A sponge in the British Museum bearing the manuscript 

 name " ThnUif^odi'iKlron n-ti-ittatn , Lendenfeld" (a small portion of which 

 is included in Prof. Dendy's loan to the Australian Museum), is, as White- 

 legge has already stated, identical with this species. A fuller deFcriii- 

 tion than that which has been given is desirable, but the material in 

 hand is not sufficiently well-preserved for the purpose. I may merely 

 mention that Whitelegge has overlooked the presence of very slender 

 palmate isochel* 6-7 )i long ; that the principal styli are straight or 

 slightly curved subfusiform spicules which may attain a size of 192 x 

 ^2 u; and that the cylindrical auxiliary subtylostyli vary in length from 

 170 )] Or less to 250 ii and may attain a diameter of 4.5 p. 



2 A doubt may be said to exist con<'erning this species, since the tyne- 

 f-pccimen and slides have apparently been lost. .Judging from its descrip- 

 tion, the SDCcies is remarkable in that the accessory acanthostyles have 

 become differentiated into two groups. The probability is, however, that 

 the slender forms mentioned are only early developmental stages. If this 

 is so, the species is almost certainly another of the series to which 

 belong C- huiiichorato, C. cnelatn, C. rlnthraia, a'ld C- spicata. 



