SYMPAGELLA ANOMALA. 99 



the rest have been torn off. The stalk shows an open perforation 

 ill tlie upper part ; lower clown it splits into two branches, each 

 of which is inserted in a piece of dead G/ionelasma. 



Fig. 3, PL VIII., represents one of the largest specimen I 

 have seen. It is 185 mm. high. The main body consists of two 

 large persons joined together at base. One of them is irregularly 

 tubular ; the other is funnel-like, expanding above, and distinctly 

 laterally compressed. Maximum thickness of wall, 9 mm. Four 

 short and comparatively slender stalks proceed from the common 

 base but unite below into one before forming a knob for attach- 

 ment. On one side, one of the stalks sends out, obliquely 

 downwards, a free ending branch which probably at one time 

 w^as likewise fixed to the substratum. 



The dead, irregularly branching stalk before mentioned and 

 seen in fig. 1, PL VIII., is at places 1-5 mm. or more thick. 

 Probably it represents fused stalks of several individuals. Of far 

 greater interest are the small 3'oung specimens which are seen 

 growing on it. These are of the size of a walnut or smaller and 

 represent various stages of the change in form undergone by the 

 sponge during growth. In an early stage the entire body is 

 simply elongate-ovoid, being attached by the narrower end while 

 in the opposite end opens a round simple osculum. One specimen 

 in this stage of development measured only 14 mm. in length 

 and 62 mm. in breadth in the broadest part ; breadth of stalk- 

 like base 2ï mm ; diameter of osculum 2 mm.; thickness of wall 

 2 mm. and under. This simple original form of the body is soon 

 lost with the formation of buds. These are at first mere thicken- 

 ings of the sponge-\vall. They gradually take the form of a 

 papilla-like protuberance and sooner or later a new" osculum opens 

 at the rounded apex. The gastral cavity of the bud in an early 



