﻿SPONGES. -KALLMANN 



245 



'C. dura differs from the species of group (iv.) in the strong 

 spicuhition of its fibres (both main and connecting) and in its 

 dermal skeleton of acanthostyles ; except that its fibres are 

 echinated, it approaches rather closely to Pseudoclathria com- 

 pressa, Carter. 1 



WiLSONELLA CONECTENS, Sp. tlOV. 



(Plate xxxii., fig. 2, and fig. 50.) 



Sponge a sessile amorphous reticidar mass of 

 moderately thin mostly erect lamellce. Oscula absent (?). 

 No distinct dermal membrane. Skeleton an irregular 

 reticidation of thin fibres with a loose meagre core of 

 smooth slender styli : in the connecting fibres the spicules 

 are usually uniserially arranged. Accessory acan- 

 thostyles rare. Spicules similar to the intrafibral styli, 

 are scattered interstitiaUy in moderate abundance. 

 Megascleres : — (2.) Smooth sometimes tornotely-pointed 

 styli or suhtylostyli, up to 240 p in length and at most 

 4 y in diameter: (ii.) acanthostyles, obscurely spined or 

 rugged, 'JO x 4.5 y.. Microscleres : — (i.) IsochelcB 

 palmatcp, 8 ft long; (ii.) rare toxa, of moderate size, tvith 

 arms sometimes inclined at right angles. 



Two specimens were obtained, both of which are preserved 

 in a dry state. The sponge is a low-spreading reticulate sub- 

 cellular mass of irregular rumpled lamella? which as a rule are 

 disposed more or less vertically. An idea of the general ex- 

 ternal appearance of the sponge is best obtained from the 

 figure (PI. xxxii., fig. 2). The lamella? have an uneven surface 

 and are frequently irregularly fenestrate ; they average 2 to 

 3 mm. in thickness. The larger specimen measures 120 mm. 

 in length, 80 mm. in breadth, and 60 mm. in height. The 

 specimens afford no certain evidence of their mode of attach- 

 ment ; but, judging from adhering fragments, it is highly 

 probable that they grew upon branching calcareous bryozoans 

 to which they were attached at many points. The colour in 

 life was bright orange yellow ; it is now light brown. The 

 texture is finely fibrous and compact. .As regards consistency, 

 the sponge is, in its present state, moderately tough, com- 

 pressible and resilient. 



Owing to the damaged state of the surface nothing can be 

 said concerning the arrangement of the spicules in the dermal 

 laver. The main skeleton is an irregular reticulation of thin 

 fibres, the stoutest of which rarely exceed 50 /< in diameter. 

 Both main and connecting fibres are cored with slender smooth 

 straight styli, and similar spicules, in considerable number, 



I Carter— Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), xviii., 1886. p. 450; Dendy— Proc. Roy. 

 :Soc. Vict., ix. (n.s.). 1897. p. 259. 



