114 BRITISH SPONGIAD.E. 



tlie ancliorate terminations were both projected from 

 the surface of the membrane. 



" The skeleton rete is rather unequal in its structure ; 

 it usually consists of two or three spicula in substance, 

 but sometimes the number of spicula is more than can 

 be distinctly determined ; they are somewhat unequal 

 in length, but in the adult forms they all agree in the 

 slightly spinous character of their bases ; occasionally, 

 but rarely, a few spines may be detected near their 

 apices, but this is rather the exception than the rule. 

 The spination of these spicula requires a power of not 

 less than 300 linear to render it distinct to the eye. 

 The tension spicula are rarely to be seen on the inter- 

 stitial membranes, but on many parts of them the 

 auchorate retentive spicula are abundantly distributed. 



" The nearest ally among our British species of 

 sponges to the one in course of description is Hali- 

 cliondria Dickiei, but they are readily discriminated by 

 the difference in the forms of their retentive spicula, 

 and also in their mode of distribution on the dermal 

 membrane." 



39. HALICHONDEIA GEANULATA, Bow., u, 262 ; in, PI. 



XLV, figs. 713. 



1867 Dendoryx granulata, Gray. Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 536. 



40. HALICHONDEIA FAEINABIA, Bow., u, 269 ; in, PI. 



LXX, figs. 58. 



41. HALICHONDEIA INOENATA, Bow., u, 271 ; in, PL 



XLVII, figs. 14. 



1867 Biemma inornata, Gray. Proc, Zool. Soc., p. 539. 



