Ktrk. —Sponc/cs collected at the Kermadec Islands. 575 



a smaller number of strongyloxea, 1-05 mm. by 0-015 mm., and a few un- 

 doubted oxea, 0-9 mm. by 0-015 mm. Spicules of all three kinds occur 

 also in the choanosome, between the rays. The microscleres are very small 

 chiasters, and larger and more massive spherasters. The chiasters are most 

 abundant just at the surface of the sponge, where they form a close layer, as 

 in the type (see Bowerbank, " British Sfongiadae''' vol. 2, p. 93). They 

 are also abundant in the inner portion of the ectosome, and are freely scat- 

 tered throughout ectosome and choanosome. The spherasters are unevenly 

 scattered through the ectosome, and are rare in the choanosome. The 

 chiasters have a very small centrum, and about 12 slender straight rays 

 always distinctly tylote. This tylote termination of the rays is like that 

 of T. japonica, figured by SoUas (IX, pi. xliv), and that of T. lyncurium 

 var. a, described by Dendy (IV, p. 113). The chiaster is noticeably different 

 from that of the type as figured by Schmidt (VIII, pi. iv). Carter (XI, pi. ii), 

 and others. Length of ray, 0-01 mm. The spheraster has a massive body 

 and from 12 to 18 stout pointed rays, which are never spined. The length 

 of the ray is 0-02 mm., and the total diameter of the spicule 0-06 mm. 



This sponge is identical with one found on the New Zealand coasts, but 

 not hitherto described. It is perhaps identical with Lendenfeld's T. multi- 

 stclla (V, p. 46), in which, however, no strongyloxea nor oxea are reported. 

 It is also very near Dendy's T. lyncurium var. a (IV, p. 113). I note these 

 points of difference : — 



T. lycurium var. a. 



Vent noticeable in preserved speci- 

 mens. 



Megascleres : Styli faintly tylote. 

 No oxea nor strongyla. 



T. lycurmm var. australis. 



Vent not noticeable in preserved 



specimens. 

 Styli not tylote. Oxea and strongyla 



present. 



Microscleres : Spheraster rarely ! Spheraster never spined. Spheraster- 



spined. Spheraster-rays about 12. i rays usually more than 12. 

 Chiaster : Rays 6-9. | Rays more than 9. 



I propose to establish this variety with some reluctance, and only do 

 so to avoid any possible confusion in notions of distribution. 



Five specimens were received, preserved in formalin. " Meyer Island, 

 near Sunday Island, in rock-pools ; 24/4/08." 



Genus Reniera Nardo. 



Skeleton forming a close reticulation of usually single megascleres, each 

 forming one side of a mesh. Spicules short, usually oxeote. In most cases 

 the ends of the spicules are bound to the adjacent spicules by a little spongin. 



Reniera reversa n. sp. Fig. 2. 



Sponge flattened and encrusting. Length, 4-5 cm. Thickness, 0-7 cm. 

 There are a few scattered oscula flush with the surface of the sponge, and 

 about 4 mm. in diameter. 



The skeleton consists mainly of blunt oxea, which are slightly curved. 

 These are bound together by scarcely discernible spongin into meshes 

 which may be 3-, 4-, or 5-sided. From the upper surface of the sponge 

 there project slightly curved styli, the blunt end directed outwards. These 

 are imbedded for about half their length. They form various angles with 

 the surface. 



