236 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



Sub-family RENiERiXiE. 



The spicules may be united togethei" Ijy a small pi'oportion of 

 horny matter, but are never completely enveloped in it. 



Genus Reniera (Nardo). 

 Skeleton a close-meshed network of typically single spicules 

 united together by their ends only. The spicules are short oxea 

 or strongyla, whose length forms the width of the skeletal mesh, 

 which may be rectangular, triangular or polygonal. Multispicular 

 primary lines of spicules are often developed. 



Reiiiero viassalis, Carter, sp. 



Thalysias viassalis, Cartel', A.M.N.H., January, 1886, p. 50. 



This is a massive, compact, but rather friable sponge, with 

 usually fair-sized and prominent vents. The skeleton is a 

 moderately regular network of small oxea, arranged in slender 

 multispiculary primary and unispicular secondary lines. The 

 colour is pale yellow in spirit. 



R.N. 349 (19 f; dirty white below, maroon-brown above); 

 429 (x, 19 f; coral red washed over raw sienna); 815; 1036 

 (X B). 



B.M. d. 105 (^" Thalysias massalis,'' Reg. 86-12-15-433). 



Reniera hrassicata, Carter, sp. 



Fhakellia brassicata, Carter, A.M.N.H., November, 1885, 

 p. 363. 



Reniera vasiforinis, Carter, A.M.N.H., December, 1886, p. 

 445. 



The sponge is stipitate, with \ase-shaped head, which may be 

 proliferous, the lamella being thin, or it may be simply llabellate. 

 The rather stout and somewhat plumose primary lines of the 

 skeleton are suggestive of an Axinellid affinity, the secondary 

 lines are frequently unispicular and very irregular. I have only 

 been able to examine Mr. Carter's '■'•Reniera vast/orfnis" but his 

 description leaves little doubt of the identity of this sponge with 

 his " Phakellia brassicata.'' The oxea are of moderate size, rather 

 stout, curved, fusiform and usually sharply pointed. 



R.N. 187; 393; 533 (x, 19 f; " cadmium yellow "); ? 1099. 



B.M. d. 101 (''Reniera vasiforniis,'' lleg. 86-12-15-364). 



