396 Mr. W. Thompson's Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 



Tethea lyncurium, Linn, (sp.), Johnst. Brit. Sponges, p. 85. fig. 12 



(p. 87). 



A few individuals of this species were procured : they were both 

 on dead and on living specimens of Modiolus vulgaris, and on dead 

 univalve shells. They were all bright yellowish orange in colour 

 (hence Pallas' name aurantium) when recent, but became at once 

 discoloured on being put in spirits. The largest Tethea is 1 j inch high 

 by 1^ inch in diameter. The numerous spicula were in some indi- 

 viduals confined to the apices of the tubercles, and in others pro- 

 jected from all parts of them, so as to give to the entire surface of 

 the animal when alive a conspicuously hispid appearance. One or 

 two specimens of what seem to be young Tethea (half an inch 

 diameter) on the same shell with the old, are quite smooth on the 

 surface. 



Halichondria {Tethea) carnosa, Johnst. Brit. Sponges, p. 146. 

 pi. 13. figs. 7, 8. 



The only locality for this species given in the work referred to, 

 which was published in 1842, is Roundstone Bay, Connemara. The 

 author omitted noticing the species as from Strangford Lough, where 

 I dredged it in July 1838, and sent it to him with many other 

 sponges, on being informed of his contemplated work upon the sub- 

 ject : in the same year this species was procured in Belfast Bay * by 

 Dr. Drummond. In July 1840 it was dredged by our party at Kil- 

 lery Bay, Connemara ; two specimens thence in my collection, as 

 well as the first alluded to, are attached to Turritella terebra. Several 

 procured in Strangford Lough in June last are attached to Cytherea 

 ovata — the largest is 1\ inches in height, and quite pyriform. 



Halichondria hispida, Mont. Wern. Mem. vol. ii. p. 86. pi. 5. 

 figs. 1, 2 ; Johnst. B. S. p. 98. 



This species was only I believe known from Montagu's descrip- 

 tion of specimens obtained in Devonshire until the month of March 

 last, when Dr. Scouler, in a contribution to this Journal, (vol. xvii. 

 p. 176) noticed it as having been dredged from deep water at Round- 

 stone by Mr. M'Calla, collector of objects of natural history. A few 

 specimens were taken under the circumstances already mentioned in 

 June last at Strangford Lough : the largest is attached to a valve of 

 Cytherea ovata, over which its base spreads, and thence it branches 

 out on either side. Montagu's figure of the species is characteristic, 

 and his description admirable as usual, and so full as to require no 

 addition. Halichondria mammillaris, Dysideafragilis, D. ? papillosa 

 (as already noticed), Cliona chelata, &c. were obtained on the same 

 occasion. 



The only Irish station given in Johnston's • British Sponges ' for 



* It is noticed in the « Annals ' for March last, p. 177, as lately [1845] 

 found here. 



