SPONGES FROM COASTAL BEACHES OF N. S. "WALES — "WHITELEGGE. 1 17 



of some of the species, and others, although dead, were in good 

 condition. The following remarks are based on the fresh material 

 obtained ; — 



Pachychalina aurantiaca, L?ndenjeld, sp. 

 The colour in life is reddish-orange ; when dried yellowish- 

 white. 



Chalina globosa, Lendenfeld, sp. 



A very large example of this form was found stranded at Shell 

 Beach ; it measures 300 mm. in length, 22.5 mm. in breadth, and 

 1.50 mm. in height. The dermal membrane is more or less intact ; 

 it is thin in texture, and the surface is pretty even ; the oscula 

 are much smaller than in the dried examples. The dermal skeleton 

 consists of ill arranged oxeote spicules, which are somewhat 

 renieroid in their disposition, with generally a triangular mesh. 



PSEUDOHALICHONDRIA FIBROSA, WJiitelegge. 



In life this species is covered with a thick gelatinous membrane, 

 with an even, smooth surface ; the oscula are very minute, and 

 confined to the tips of the branches. The dermal membrane is 

 easily separable from the body, when denuded the sponge presents 

 an appearance like that of the figured type.-" 



Clathria TYPiCA, Carter. 

 Colour in life, dark terra cotta. 



Clathria dura, Whitelegge. 



Several living examples of this species were obtained at Bal- 

 moral Beach. One measures 400 mm. in length, and 260 mm. in 

 height. The colour is dark orange-bufF when alive. The dermal 

 membrane is extremely thin, and charged with numerous spined 

 styli. 



Echinoclathria macropora, Lendenfeld, sp. 



Some examples of this species were of a bright madder brown, 

 and others dark yellowish-stone. 



EuspoNGiA IRREGULARIS, var. silicata, Lendetifeld. 



Many specimens of the species were collected. The colour of 

 the ground substance in life is canary yellow, after death it 

 changes to a bright purple. 



EusPONGiA OFFICINALIS, var. SPINOSA, Lendenfeld. 



This variety occurs at low tide line at Maroubra Bay. The 

 colour when alive is dark grayish-brown. 



23 See Plate x., fig. 8. 



