PLATE I. Fig. 1, 4 



The Boring Sponge is fairly common in New 

 Jersey waters, especially in the oyster grounds in 

 Delaware Bay, where it bores into the oyster shells. 

 This sponge usually consists of small, yellow, wart- 

 like protuberances which project about one-eighth 

 of an inch above the shell. However, at times it 

 glows out of the shell which it has excavated and 

 assumes a massive form, sometimes as much as three 

 feet square. This massive form of the sponge is 

 known to the fishermen as "Yellow Coral" or 

 "Punk" and is frequently associated with good 

 fishing grounds. It is especially abundant in Dela- 

 ware Bay near "Old Bare Shoal," off the mouth of 

 Mispillion River, Delaware, in Maurice River Cove 

 on the New Jersey side of the bay and in Ludlam's 

 Bay near Sea Isle City, Xew Jersey. It is present, 

 but less conspicuous in other parts of the New Jersey 

 coastal waters. It is rarely found in the open ocean. 



Many shells, especially the Oyster and Clam 

 (Venus), are cast up on the beach riddled with small 

 holes, showing the work of this sponge. 



Chalina arbuscula Verrill (Dead Man's Fingers) 



PLATE I. Fig. 2 



This branched or finger-like sponge lives in 



