BRITISH SP0NGIAD.E. 143 



other in every possible manner, so as completely to form a 

 loose felting of siliceous spicula. The basal ends of the 

 large skeleton ones pass through this stratum of spictila, and 

 in several instances I observed that the points of the vernii- 

 culoid ones coiled closely round their bases so as materially 

 to assist them in maintaining their position on the basal 

 membrane. 



The vermiculoid spicula do not appear to be equally 

 abundant in every specimen of the species, as in sponges 

 subsequently examined they were comparatively few in 

 number, and in one case they were dispersed and uncon- 

 nected with each other, and this did not appear to arise 

 from an immature condition of the sponge, as in other 

 respects it appeared to be fully developed. 



I have subsequently received specimens on old shells and 

 pebbles, from the Rev. Walter Gregor, dredged in the 

 Moray Frith, and others from Mr. Peach. None of these 

 specimens exceeded three fourths of an inch in diameter. 



2. Hymeraphia clavata, Bowerbank. 



Sponge. Coating thin ; surface even, strongly hispid. 

 Oscula simple, dispersed. Pores inconspicuous. Der- 

 mal membrane spiculous ; spicula attenuato-acuate, 

 long and slender, fasciculated, fasciculi frequently 

 arranged in radiating groups. Skeleton and external 

 defensive spicula attenuato-acuate, long and stout, 

 rarely sub-clavate, variable in size and length. Internal 

 defensive spicula attenuato-clavate, entirely spined. 

 Tension spicula attenuato-acuate, long, and very 

 slender, fasciculated. Basal membrane pellucid, smooth, 

 and even. Sarcode abundant. 



Colour. Dried, light amber. 



Habitat. Shetland, Mr. Barlee ; Moray Frith, Rev. 

 Walter Gregor. 



Examined. -In the dried state. 



