Catalogue of Non-Calcareous Sponges. 237 



The spicules are slightly curved styli or subtylostyli; gradually 

 sharp-pointed and measuring about 018 by O006 mm. 



This species appears to combine the characters of Hymeniacidon 

 with those of Phakellia and it is with some doubt that I include 

 it in the latter genus. 



R.N. 1155 (x). 



Genus Acanthella, Schmidt. 



Axinellidje of ramose, bushy or frondose external form ; of 

 cartilaginous consistency, and with glabrous surface beset with 

 ridges and spines. No distinct horny fibre. The smooth linear 

 megascleres range from stylote to oxeote in form. No micro- 

 scleres. 



The arrangement of the spicules in dense wide tracts with 

 intervening spaces almost or quite devoid of spicules appears to 

 be also very characteristic. 



Acantheila stipitata, Carter. 



Acanthella stipitata, Carter, A.M.N.H., May, 1881, p, 380, 

 pi. xviii., fig. 8. 



Acanthella cactiformis, Carter, A.M.N.H., February, 1885, 

 p. 114. 



Acanthella hirciniopsis, Carter, A.M.N.H., November, 1885, 

 p. 364. 



Acanthellina parvicomelata, Carter, A.M.N.H., November, 

 1885, p. 365. 



Acanthellina rugolineata, Carter, A.M.N.H., November, 1885, 

 p. 365. 



The forms here included all appear to belong to one very 

 variable species ; at any rate there are so many intermediate 

 characters that I can find no tangible points of distinction 

 between them. 



R.N 389; 465 (x, 20 f.; "poppy-red"); 659; 740 (x B; 

 "orange"); 1003 (two specimens, s. 1 and x B); 1004 (x B); 

 105S (x A); 1159; 1161 (x). 



B.M. sp. 49 ("Acanthella cactiformis, C," Reg. 86-12-15-91); 

 sp. 50 ('■'■Acanthella parviconulata, C," Reg. 86-12-15-56); sp. 51 

 ("Acanthella hirciniopsis, C," Reg. 86-12-15-38); sp. 52 ("Acan- 

 thella rugolineata, C," Reg. 86-12-15-94); d. 90 ("Acanthella 

 rugolineata" Reg. 86-12-15-365). 



