SPONGES. 149 



Pachychalina delicatula, Dendy. 



1889, Pachychalina delicatula, Dkxdy (3). 



With this species I identity three specimens, all characterized by their great 

 softness and delicacy of texture, but all containing a good deal of sand. 



K.N. 55, -26-1 (both from Gulf of Manaar) ; 364 (Stat. 1., hauls I 4. January 31, 

 L902, Colombo to Negombo, 12 to 20 fathoms). 



Pachychalina brevispiculifera, n. sp. Plate X., tig. 7. 



The single specimen is compressed, digitate to flabellate (presumably erect), 

 branching and anastomosing. The branches or fronds are sometimes narrow and 

 sometimes broad, but always greatly flattened, and only about 6 millims. in thickness. 

 The surface is beset with small conical aculeations, which form the principal nodes in 

 a very strongly developed dermal skeletal reticulation. Vents rather large (about 

 4 millims. in diameter) but very shallow ; numerous, but confined almost or cpuite 

 entirely to one of the flattened sides of the frond or branch. Colour (in the dry state) 

 light brown ; texture coarsely fibrous, compressible, resilient, fragile. The single 

 specimen measures about 120 millims. in height by 110 millims. in greatest width. 



The main skeleton is a very coarse, sub-rectangularly or irregularly meshed network 

 of very stout horny fibre almost filled with well developed and very abundant spicules 

 arranged multiserially in all the fibres. The primary fibres, running lengthwise 

 through the branches, measure up to about 0'164 millim. in thickness, and the 

 secondaries are sometimes nearly as stout, though usually a good deal slenderer. 

 Sometimes two or more primary fibres run close together side by side, connected with 

 one another at frequent intervals by numerous very short secondaries. The dermal 

 skeleton is a coarse, irregular reticulation of similar fibre, varying greatly in thickness 

 and with meshes of varying diameter. The fibres, especially those of the dermal 

 skeleton, are occasionally echinated by projecting oxea. 



Spicules. Oxea (Plate X., fig. 7) ; slightly curved; sub-fusiform; short, stout and 

 sharp-pointed at each end; measuring about - l millim. by 0'0055 millim. 



R.N. 110 (Gulf of Manaar, dry). 



Pachychalina spinilamella, Dendy Plate VII., fig. 4. 

 1889, Pachychalina spinilamella, Dendy (3). 



I identify with this species a number of specimens of somewhat variable external 

 form, but all characterised by their strongly conulose surface and with closely similar 

 skeleton arrangement. A fairly typical example is represented in Plate VII. , fig. 4. 

 R.N. 14. 296 and 326 are characterised by their more slender, irregularly branching 

 form and smaller vents. 



U.N. 14. 25, 94 (Periya Paar, &c., Gulf of Manaar) ; 172, 296, 326 (Ceylon seas). 



