Catalogue of No7b~Calco ireous Sponges. 253 



Victorian specimens being specifically identical with Spirastrella 

 papulosa, obtained by the Challenger in Port Jackson.* 



R.N. 674 (s. 10); 896 (s. 10); 934 (x A); 1051 (x B). The 

 following also probably belong here, but they are mostly mere 

 pieces and do not show the vents; 300 (18 f. ; "dark slate"); 

 421 (x, 19 f.; "olive"); 486 (s. 10, 8 f.; "olive-grey"); 537 (x, 

 19 f.; "gallstone-yellow"); 620 (x, 19 f.; "slate-grey"); 1156 (x). 



B.M. ? d. 120 ("Spirastrella cunctatrix" [south coast of Aus- 

 tralia], Reg. 86-12-15-250); d. 125 (" Spirastrella cunctatrix, var. 

 porcata," Reg. 86-12-15-351). 



Spirastrella papulosa, var. porosa, nov. 



1 Spirastrella cunctatrix, Carter, pars, A.M.N. H., February, 

 1886, p. 113. 



This variety is distinguished from the preceding by the sieve- 

 like oscular areas replacing the distinct separate vents. The 

 colour also appears to be lighter than is usual in the typical form 

 and rather brown or yellow than dark grey. I can detect no 

 difference in skeleton arrangement or spiculation. The best 

 specimen is the upper part of a large, erect, compressed, thickly 

 lobose sponge. The general surface is beset with large irregular 

 conuli, wide apart and with a beautiful pore-bearing membrane 

 stretched between ; (these strongly developed porous inhalant 

 areas may also be a varietal distinction). The upper margin 

 is truncated, giving rise to a broad, slightly depressed area, 

 perforated by innumerable small pores, beneath which the great 

 vertical oscular tubes terminate. The colour in spirit is grey. 



R.N. 290 (18 f.; "wax-yellow"); 301 (18 f.; "snuff-brown "); 

 562 (x, 20 f.; " raw umber "). 



B.M. 1 d. 120 ("Spirastrella cunctatrix^ Reg. 86-12-15-250). 



Spirastrella robusta, Carter, sp. 



Spirastrella cunctatrix, var. robusta, Carter, A.M.N.H., Feb- 

 ruary, 1886, p. 114. 



This sponge is lobose, compressed, thick, with smooth and even 

 surface and small marginal vents. The texture is firm, compact 

 and leathery, and the colour in spirit pale yellow. The megas- 



* In the Challenger Report the length of the spiraster is accidentally given as 0T> 

 instead of 0'OiJ mm. 



