SPONGES. 143 



Reniera pigmentifera, n. sp. Plate TX., fig. 10. 



This species is represented in the collection by a large number of small fragments 

 which may perhaps represent only a single specimen. The external form appears to 

 have been more or less flabellate, with rounded margin. The vents are about 

 2 millims. in diameter and appear to have been scattered singly along the margin (and 

 elsewhere ?). The surface lias a porous appearance to the naked eye, and is very 

 minutely hispid. The colour (in spirit) is dark brown throughout, sometimes with a 

 purplish tint, and the texture is very soft and crumbling. 



The skeleton is an irregular " Isodictyal" network of short spicules, sometimes con- 

 nected together at their ends by spongin cement ; primary fibres, from one to about three 

 spicules in thickness, are recognisable in places. There is no distinct dermal skeleton. 



Spicules. (1.) Oxea (Plate IX., fig. 10, a) ; slightly curved and gradually sharp 

 pointed at each end ; measuring about (M44 millim. by 0'007 millim., but often much 

 more slender. 



(2.) Strongyla (Plate IX., fig. 10, h) ; stout, very slightly curved, broadly rounded 

 off at each end; variable in length, up to about 0"12 millim. by 0"009 millim. ; may 

 be shorter and at the same time somewhat stouter. 



(3.) Styli (Plate IX., fig. 10, c, c/) ; short and stout, very similar in size and shape 

 to the strongyla, but pointed at one end. Of course, intermediate forms of spicules 

 also occur. 



A remarkable feature of this sponge is the immense number of granular, brown or 

 purple-coloured pigment cells which it contains. These cells are rounded in outline 

 and about 0"002 millim. in diameter, and are thickly scattered all through the sponge. 



P.N. 290 (numerous fragments. Jokkenpiddi Paar, 10 fathoms). 



Reniera zoologica, n. sp. Plate IX., fig. 8. 



The single specimen appears to be half of a pear-shaped sponge which has been 

 torn in two longitudinally. It has probably been fixed by the narrower end, and 

 bears a single rather large vent (?) opening out of a wide oscular tube near the broad 

 upper end. The surface is encrusted with large Foraminifera and sand-grains. The 

 colour (in spirit) is pale grey, and the texture (internally) crumb-of-bread-like. 

 Total height of specimen 34 millims., greatest breadth about 20 millims. 



The main skeleton is an irregular network of spicules, partly arranged singly in an 

 " Isodictyal " manner and partly collected in irregular multispicular bands. No 

 spongin cement is recognisable in my preparation. 



The dermal skeleton is a dense but thin layer of oxea, lying very close together 

 and crossing one another in all directions parallel with the surface. 



Spicules. Oxea (Plate IX., fig. 8); moderately stout, slightly curved, gradually 

 sharp pointed at each end; size when fully developed about 0*18 millim. by 

 - 007 millim. Numerous very slender forms, probably young, also occur. 



R.N. 262 (Gulf of Manaar). 



