578. 



Transactions, 



Spicules : The spicules of the skeleton are slightly curved oxea with 

 bluntish ends. Size, 0-24 mm. by 0-008 mm. The microscleres are minute 

 strongyla, smooth and straight or slightly curved. 



The sponge is quite unlike Toxochalina joliodes {Desmacidon foliodes 

 Bowerbank), reported by Lendenfeld (VI, p. 797) from Thursday Island. 

 That sponge is not in Mr. Oliver's collection. 



A single dry specimen received. " Cast up in Coral Bay, Sunday Island ; 

 2/5/08." 



Genus Clathria Schmidt. 



" Ectyoninae of various habit, frequently clathrous. Skeleton a reti- 

 culation of fibre, usually with much spongin, containing smooth styli and 

 echinated by spined styli." — Dendy (IV, p. 170). 



Fig. 5. — Clathria intermedia. 



Portion of skeleton, la. Portion of skeleton at right angles to surface. 

 2 a, b, c. Echinating smooth styli. 2 d, e, f. Smooth styli, sometimes echi- 

 nating, more often in fibre or in s])onge-flesh. 3 a, b, c, d, e. Smooth slender 

 styli of fibre and sponge-flesh. 4. Echinating spined styli. 5. A diact spicule 

 in boiled-out preparation. 6. Toxa. 7, 8. Isochelae. 9. Simple sigma. 



