EEPORT ON THE MONAXONIDA. 101 



(PL XXI. fig. 11) of the usual Cliondrocladia type, each with a curved shaft expanded 

 towards each end and with three claw-like teeth at each extremity. Length about 

 0'057 mm. (2) A few sigmata, simple and contort, about 0*044 mm. long. 



It wiU be seen that this sponge makes a near approach to the " Crinorhiza " form, 

 but does not quite attain to it. It is chiefly remarkable on account of its minute size 

 and the exceedingly small amount of soft tissues present. It was obtained in com- 

 paratively shallow water (140 fathoms), but on a bottom of mud. 



Locality. — Station 174, August 3, 1874 ; lat. 19° 6' 0" S., long. 178° 14' 20" E.; 

 Kandavu, Fiji Islands; depth, 140 fathoms; bottom, coral mud. Two specimens. 



Chondrocladia crinita, Ridley and Dendy (PI. XX. fig. 4 ; PI. XXI. figs. 3, 17). 



1886. Chondrocladia crinita, Ridley and Dendy, Ann. and. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 5, vol. xviii. 



p. 345. 



Sponge (PI. XX. fig. 4), of the " Crinorhiza " form, consisting of a rather large, 

 conical body, terminating above in a stout, spike-like projection, composed of spiculo- 

 fibre. The base of the sponge is fringed by a number of long, coarse, hair-like processes, 

 and from near its centre projects a short papilla. Diameter of body at base 15 mm.; 

 height of body 12 mm. Colour in spirit brownish-yellow. Surface ribbed by the 

 projection of the upper parts of the fringing processes, which are very prominent. 

 Dermal memhrane distinct, rather thick ; containing numerous microsclera, especially 

 isochelae, but no megasclera. 



Skeleton. — Of the " Crinorhiza " type, consisting of a central axis of dense spiculo- 

 fibre, forming the spike at the summit of the sponge and not developed below ; with 

 radiating bands of spiculo-fibre which form the axes of the fringing processes. 



Spicules. — (a) Megasclera ; slender styli (PI. XXI. fig. 3), measuring in the main 

 fibres about 2'2 by 0"044 mm. (6) Microsclera ; (l) numerous large isochel^ (PI. XXI. 

 fig. 17) of the usual Chondrocladia form, with curved shaft expanded towards each end 

 and three teeth at each extremity. Length about O'l mm. (2) Slender, more or less 

 contort sigmata ; very abundant in the dermal membrane ; length about 0'07 mm. 



This sponge is of especial interest on account of its having acquired the " Crinorhiza " 

 form. Unfortunately only a single specimen was obtained, and that in very bad con- 

 dition. On cutting it open a number of embryos were found imbedded in the soft 

 tissues near the centre of the sponge. 



Localitij. — Station 216a, February 16, 1875; lat. 2° 56' K, long. 134° 11' E.; 

 north of New Guinea ; depth, 2000 fathoms ; bottom, Globigerina ooze ; bottom 

 temperature, 3 5°' 4. One specimen. 



