J. G. WALLER ON A NEWLY DISCOVERED BRITISH SPONGE. 217 



of exploration were by no means elaborate. I simply used such 

 opportunities as were afforded me, out of the very spare time at my 

 command, and kept my eyes well employed. Only one did I find 

 alive and in situ, and that was obtained in a single visit to Paignton 

 rocks at dead low water, spring tides. To those who would study 

 these organisms, I would recommend my own practice of picking 

 up the roots of Laminaria, which are great gatherers of sponges ; 

 and many interesting species I have obtained in this manner, besides 

 one entirely new to our fauna, which I have described.* Those 

 therefore, who would commence the study need not frighten them- 

 selves at a necessity for dredging ; they would find plenty to occupy 

 them on what are cast upon the shore after rough weather, and 

 examining rocks at low water with a sharp exercise of their visual 

 faculties. So numerous a society as ours could most surely help 

 beneficially in the study to a greater extent than is now done ; I am 

 quite sure of this, that whoever has courage to begin will most 

 surely go on. Our friend and colleague, Mr. Priest, is a proof of 

 this, and will quite bear out my opinion. 



The sponge, I am about to describe, was found on an oyster shell 

 cast up on the shore, filled with Cliona Northumbrica, at Hope's 

 Nose, that wild promontory which terminates the eastern side of 

 Torbay. It is an ancient landslip, which has surged forward to the 

 sea, and one of our last winters witnessed a slight extension of the 

 process, carrying with it an interesting example of contorted strata. 

 Here the sewerage of Torquay now pours forth into the sea, and the 

 olfactory nerves of a visitor are not always agreeably affected. But 

 it is rather amusing to note the crowd of seagulls floating close about 

 the out-flow; whether enjoying it or whether sitting in sanitary con- 

 gress, we have no means to determine. All my late visits 1 had to 

 myself, and I do not think it is now thought quite a place for a 

 boating party to picnic at. To be there at the decline of day, 

 with a rising wind and overcast sky, and occasionally a half-human 

 cry from the sea-birds, gives to the position a lonely dreariness, 

 which only the pursuit of natural history could make you quite 

 ignore. But it affords such an abundant means of study, in its rock 

 pools, crevices, &c, of all kinds of marine life, that hours may 

 quickly pass away in profit. I generally returned with a miscel. 

 laneous assemblage of pebbles, shells, &c, &c, in my pockets, and 

 one result is the new sponge. 



* "Journal of Quekett Microscopical Club," Vol. vi., p. 97, et seq. 



