^^4 ScUntific Intelligence. — Zoology. 



are always observed in the depressed parts. The pores are very 

 minute, and appear like perforations made by needles of dif- 

 ferent sizes. This species feels very slimy when torn, and 

 abounds nearly as much with parenchymatous matter as the 

 Spongia panicea, to which it has a close affinity in its general 

 form and habits. Its spicula are silicious, rather long, (taking al- 

 ways that of the S2J0iigillaJriahilis (PI. II. fig. 1.) as a standard 

 of comparison), curved, equally thick throughout, obtuse at one 

 end, and pointed at the other, (see PL II fig. 9.). The spicu- 

 lum which I have represented in PI. II. fig. 3., belongs to a 

 sponge, which I likewise believe to be an undescribed British spe- 

 cies, and which I have named Spongia cinerea, from its re- 

 markable blackish grey colour. I met only with a single speci- 

 men of this sessile species, about two years ago, in the Firth of 

 Forth, and I have not since observed it on any other coast. It 

 grew on the inclined side of a rock, had an irregular outline, 

 and was about three inches in length, one in breadth, and half 

 an inch in thickness. My attention was attracted to this speci- 

 men, from its perfect resemblance to a dark putrid sponge, but 

 on immersing it in water, I found it still in a high state of vi- 

 tality. Its surface was smooth, convex, fleshy and transparent. 

 Its pores required a lens to be distinctly seen, and its fecal ori- 

 fices were few, very large, regularly circular, and lay rather 

 deeper than the general surface. Its spicula were remarkably 

 uniform in size, rather small, curved, equally thick throughout, 

 pointed suddenly at both ends, and silicious, (see PI. II. fig. 3.) 

 — Dr Grant. 



30. South AfHcan Museum. — (1st Series.). The attention 

 of the public is particularly requested, by Dr Smith, Superinten- 

 dent of the South African Museum, to the following Queries, 

 and information on the points to which they allude is most ear- 

 nestly solicited from such individuals as may have had opportu- 

 nities of acquiring it. 1. Does the Tiger Wolf, or what is 

 generally denominated the Cape Wolf, carry away its prey ; or 

 does it always devour it on the spot where it first finds it ? 2. 

 If he ever carries it away, what seems to be his reason or rea- 

 sons for so doing ? 3. When he happens to fall in with more 

 than he can at once consume, does he simply abandon the sur- 

 plus, or does he carry it away ? 4. When they have young, 



