SPONGES FROM COASTAL BEACHES OF N. S. WALES — WHITELEGGE. 65 



Arenochalina mirahilis, Lendenfeld 

 Echinonema anchoratum, Carter. 



var. ramosa, Lendenfeld 



var. densa, Lendenfeld 



var. lamellosa, Lendenfeld . . . 



fefis, Lendenfeld 



Clathria inacropora, Lendenfeld ... 



australis, Lendenfeld 



Plectispa inacropora, Lendenfeld ... 

 (echinating) 



arborea, Lendenfeld 



(echinating) 

 TJialassodendron typica, Lendenfeld 

 Axinella aurantiaca, Lendenfeld ... 



More than half the above-mentioned forms are the undoubted 

 types, with which I have long been acquainted, having been 

 present when they were obtained by the trawl or dredge. 



Clathria australis, Lendenfeld, really belongs to the genus 

 Plumohalichoiidria, Carter. Clathria inacropora, Lendenfeld, and 

 Echinonema levis, Lendenfeld, are — if not identical with C. aus- 

 tralis — varieties distinguished by difference in habit only. The 

 spicules in the fibres of C. australis are described as " straight 

 styli," C. inacropora is stated to possess "oxea and styli," 

 and in Echinonema levis they are described as " straight or 

 slightly curved " styli. The types of C. australis (Nos. 285 - 413), 

 C. inacropora (Nos. 267 - 290), and Echinonema levis (Nos. 2L3 - 

 278 - 443), when carefully examined, were found to have the 

 fibres cored with smooth straight oxea, without any trace of 

 smooth styli. The descriptions of all the three forms are devoid 

 of any reference to the numerous isochekt? present in the ground 

 substance; and no mention is made of the abundant smooth oxea 

 and spined styli scattered throughout the body of the sponge, and 

 which form a dense external crust, nearly 1 mm. in thickness. 



Axinella auratiaca, Lendenfeld. — The figured type of this 

 species (No. 245), is a well preserved spirit specimen. The 

 description states that the " skeleton consists of a dense 

 network of slightly curved styli, measuring 029 x 0-007 mm., 

 pervaded by fibres 0-1 mm. thick, composed of similar spicules in 

 the axis." The actual figured type, when examined, was found 

 to have the fibres composed of oxea and strongyla, and the styli 

 were so scarce that only three were observed after prolonged 

 search, in fact it is possible that they did not belong to the sponge 



