Catalogue of Non-Calcairous Sponges. 15 



This species is well characterised by its massive form, thick, 

 loose dermal membrane, very coarse, sandy fibre, and the rosettes 

 of peculiar quadridentate anisocheh^. As Mr. Carter himself 

 abandoned the name parasitica as founded on a misconception, 

 I have no hesitation in following his example. It appears 

 scarcely necessary to retain the genus Pseudoesperia. 



R.N. 335 (7 f ; "dull orange-yellow"); 439 (s. 9, 13 f ; "ochre- 

 yellow"); 611 (s. 6, 8 f; "ochre-yellow"); 713 (s. 8); 853 

 (s. 9); 860 (s. 9).. 



B.M. d. Ill ('■'' Pseudoesperia enigmatica olim Esperia 

 parasitica.'' Reg. 86-12-15-467). 



Esperella phitiipensis, n. sp. 



The single specimen forms a rather thin, spreading crust, with 

 irregular surface and few small vents. 



Skeleton. The main skelton is very lax and irregular, consisting 

 ftf loose fibres and whisps of spicules running towards the 

 surface and l)ranching repeatedly as tliey approach the dermal 

 membrane. Very numerous megascleres are also scattered in 

 the ground substance between the fibres. The dermal skeleton 

 is a rather close reticulation of loose spicular fibre. 



Afegascleres, long, straight, slender tylostyli, with well-marked 

 ovoid heads and rather abrupt, sharp points, measuring about 

 0-3 by 0-005 mm. 



Microscleres, (a) moderately stout, palmate anisochela?, of 

 ordinary form, occurring abundantly in rosettes and singly, and 

 measuring about 0-037 mm. long Avhen fully developed; (d) 

 slender sigmata, simple and contort, with short, abruptly 

 recurved, sharp points, measuring about 0-045 mm. from bend 

 to bend by 0-0015 mm. in thickness in the middle. 



P.iV. 827 (s. 10). 



Esperella spongiosa, n. sp. 



External form variable, from massive to flabellate or digitate. 

 Soft and spongy, with thick, easily separable, reticulate dermal 

 membrane. Vents commonly large and on prominent parts. 

 Pale yellow in spirit. The colours in life recorded are dirty 

 white, brown, vinaceous (purple), ochraceous buff, etc.; nothing 

 very distinctive. Localities recorded : s. 1, s. 5, s. 9, x. 



