Catalogue of Non-Calcareous Sponges. 233 



R.N. 271 (20 f. ; "rich maroon-red mottled with a lighter 

 shade"); 887 (s. 9); 889 (s. 9). 



B.M. sp. 60 (" Axinella stelliderma, C. one of types/' Reg. 

 86-12-15-33). 



Axinella ace rata, Carter. 



Axinella stelliderma var. acerata, Carter, A.M.N.H., November, 

 1885, p. 360. 



I identify with this species (which appears to be quite distinct 

 from A. stelliderma), three specimens which agree with Mr. 

 Carter's description fairly well, except that the colour in life 

 was yellow or orange instead of purple, and I have been unable 

 to recognise in my sections the stellate character of the dermis. 

 The latter, however, I imagine to be due to the arrangement of 

 the soft tissues and not to the spicules, and it may even be an 

 effect of shrinkage. The slender oxeote spicules vary a good 

 deal in size, as also does the length of the branches of which 

 the sponge is composed. The Raspailia-\'\ke arrangement of the 

 skeleton and the irregularity exhibited by the ends of the oxeote 

 spicules are characteristically axinellid. 



R.N. 355 (19 f.; "dull ochre-yellow "); 358(19 1; "orange"); 

 405 (x, 19 f.; "Indian yellow"). 



Axinella clathrata, n. sp. 



The single specimen is erect, stipitate ; composed of short, 

 slender, subcylindrical branches extended in one plane and 

 anastomosing in a clathrous manner. Surface glabrous and 

 minutely conulose. Vents not visible. Colour in spirit nearly 

 white. Texture tough and resilient. 



Skeleton, consisting of a thick central axis of densely but 

 irregularly packed spicules, occupying nearly half the entire 

 thickness of the branch and giving off at frequent intervals 

 thick, loose, irregular strands of spicules towards the surface, 

 where they end in the low conuli. There is no visible spongin. 



Spicules, long, slender, unequal-ended oxea ; usually gently 

 curved and sharply pointed at both ends and very finely at at 

 least one, but sometimes becoming stylote ; measuring about 

 0-i by 0-006 mm. 



