1889.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 75 



In the shape of the sponge with its interior chimney-like cavity it 

 resembles the tubular form of individuals of many keratose sponges, 

 and is so unlike the more familiar forms of the living sponge that if 

 not a different species, as a marked variety it might be distinguished 

 as Cliona phallica. 



Mr. YVillcox, who is now in Florida, writes that the Cliona phal- 

 lica is one of the most common sponges of the coast. He observes 

 that when alive it is of a yellow color, and has an opening at the 

 summit nearly as large as the end of the little finger. It is very 

 sensitive and when disturbed contracts and closes the orifice. The 

 dead specimens never exhibit the latter open. Mr. Willcox says 

 that he observed the sponge at Clear-water Harbor, near Tarpin 

 Springs. ANow tide, when covered with only five or six inches of 

 water, this was seen to be in active movement above the sponge in- 

 dicating a current flowing from the aperture. In wading, when 

 Mr. Willcox approached within four or five feet of the sponges, the 

 currents flowing from them would cease and on touching them they 

 would close the terminal aperture. 



