1887.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 201) 



case in the past has suggested their possible association, or the de- 

 velopment of one group from the other. 



By referring to the description of Meyeniajiuviatilis, var acuminata, 

 mihi, it will be seen, that in that variety, the shafts of the birotu- 

 lates are prolonged at each extremity, forming acuminate terminations 

 some distance beyond the surface of the rotules. It must be noticed 

 also, that in position these spicules are abnormal, lying flat upon 

 the chitinous coat, instead of resting upon one rotule, their shafts 

 taking the position of radii, as is usual in this genus. We have 

 here in fact spicules of a Meyenia occupying the ordinary positions, 

 and in degree approximating the forms of those regarded as peculiar 

 to the Spongillce. 



In the present species the intermediate character of the gemmule- 

 spicules is still more striking ; and while their form and position prob- 

 ably more closely associate them with the genus Spongllla, in which 

 I have, after considerable hesitation, placed the species, the grouping of 

 ray like spines is foi'cibly suggestive of Meyenia ; it will be therefore 

 no cause for surprise, if further examination shall cause its transfer 

 to the sister genus. 



It must not escape notice that in both of these instances the 

 gemmulffi are without "crust," and as it is difficult to understand 

 how birotulates could be supported in their ordinary positions with- 

 out these embedding granules, we may not unreasonably infer a 

 possible relation of cause and effect between the change in position, 

 and the modification of type tliat we here find. 



As this is the first novel species of fresh water sponge collected 

 upon the Island of Newfoundland, as also, this is the highest latitude 

 in North America from which any collections have been recorded, 

 it may be well to append to the above, in which the original report 

 to the Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. (1886) has been closely followed, the 

 remarks of Mr. MacKay, as to the extremes of temjDerature etc. in 

 that region. 



He says: "The Island is not extreme in its temperature, and the 

 frost does not go very deep into the soil. The lakes freeze in 

 November or December with ice at least a foot in thickness, and 

 remain closed until the end of April. The average temperature 

 during eight years, from 1857 to 1864, was 41.2 Fahr.: average 

 maximum thermometer during the same time 83; mimimum, 7. 

 In the year 1879, the mean temperature was 40.2 Fahr ; highest rec- 

 ord, August 3rd, 82; lowest, December 22,+4. In Nova Scotia 



