BY R. VON LENDENFELD, PH.D. 319 



This fibre retains however, the crooked coarse of the fibres by 

 the thickening of which it has been formed and never contains 

 foreign bodies. 



Geographical Distribution. 



East Coast of Australia, Port Jackson (Von Lendenfeld, 

 Ramsay) ; Broughton Island (Ramsay). 



Bathymetrical Distribution. 



From 0-50 meters in Port Jackson, in shallow water at Broughton 

 Island. 



The shallow water specimens from Broughton Island are the 

 largest, and present the most regular fan-like shape. 



66. SPECIES. 



AULENA NIGRA, NOVA SPECIES. 



Only Aulophlegma forms without Oscula have been obtained, 



Shape and Size. 



This sponge is Chaliniform in as much as it presents the shape 

 of a much curved circular cylinder about 8 mm. in diameter. 

 Generally several cylinders of this kind grow out from an irregu- 

 larly lobed basal mass. They rarely coalesce for a short distance. 

 Every one however, retaining its individuality. The cylinders 

 grow to a length of 50 mm. In the largest specimen there were 

 five cylinders extending in the same direction, the largest of which 

 mea.su red 8x50 mm. 



Surface. 



The villi are shorter and more rigid than in either of the fore- 

 going species, about 1 mm. high, 1 mm. thick and 1-5 mm. apart 

 from one another. 



Color. 



The sponge is in spirits intensely black, as the specific name 

 implies. In the interior it has a dark brownish grey color. The 

 black pigment is found in the surface only. 



