178 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Acanthella (?) stipitata, Carter, var. n. 



188L Acanthella stipitata, Carter, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 5, vol. vii. p. 380, pi. xviii. 



fig. 8. 



This sponge is represented in the collection by a slight variety from Torres Strait. 

 It differs from the type of the species as described by Mr. Carter (loc. cit.) — (l) in 

 having the stem obsolete and represented only by a constricted base ; (2) in having the 

 stylote megasclera larger, measuring about 0"5 by 0'009 mm. as against 0"347 by 

 0"009 mm. (25 by | — 1800th inch, as given by Mr. Carter). In addition to the large 

 stylus there is in the Challenger specimen a long, very slender spicule which is extremely 

 abundant and often flexuous, and is very hkely a young form of the other. ]\Ir. Carter 

 further remarks that the styli in his sponge are " abruptly sharp-pointed ;" we cannot 

 say this of our specimen, in which the styli are very gradually sharp-pointed. Mr. 

 Carter's figure of the spicule, however, does not confirm his description. 



In habit this variety closely approaches Clathria frondifera, which is abundant at the 

 same locality. 



We are by no means certain that the species is correctly placed in the genus 

 Acanthella ; it seems to us to have close affinities with Echinoclathria, Carter. 



Locality.— ^tPition 186, September 8, 1874; lat. 10° 30' S., long. 142° 18' E.; off 

 Cape York, Torres Strait ; depth, 8 fathoms ; bottom. Coral mud. One specimen. 



Habitat. — Bass Strait (Carter) ; Torres Strait (Challenger). 



Genus Axinella, Schmidt (Pis. XXV., XXXIII., XXXIV., XXXV., XXXVI., 



XXXVII., XXXVIIL, XL.). 



1862. Axinella, Schmidt, Die Spongien des Adriat. Meeres, p. 60. 



Sponge typically ramose, but may be massive. Skeleton fibre plumose. Megasclera 

 stylote and sometimes oxeote. No microsclera. 



This is a very critical genus, and it is impossible to give a satisfactory diagnosis of it. 

 It comes very near to Raspailia, but the latter is conveniently kept distinct on account 

 of its very characteristic, whip-like external form. 



Axinella arhorescens, Ridley and Dendy (PL XXXV. figs. 4, 4a). 



1886. Axinella arhorescens, Ridley and Dendy, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. .5, vol. xviii. 



p. 479. 



Sponge (PL XXXV. fig. 4) erect, branched, stem and branches cylindrical or sometimes 

 more or less flattened. Branches often forming anastomoses. Total height of sponge 

 212 mm.; length of stem up to first branch 50 mm., diameter of same 15 mm.; 

 diameter of branches about 8 mm. Colour in spirit greyish -yellow. Texture firm 



