116 



KOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Genus IIALICHONDEITES. Dn. 



115. — IIalichondrites coni'lsus, Dawsuii. 



(Fig. 20.) 



Fig. 2t). — IIalichondrites confusus. 

 Spicules enlarged. 



OvalV>r iiTei>-iil armasses of small simple spicules, imbedded in patches 

 of pyrite, and^Avitliout any definite arrangement of ruot spicules, may 

 indicate the presence of a halichondroid sponge. In the best preserved 

 si^eciniens the spicules appear to be biacerate and more slender and 

 pointed tlian in the last, and they seem to be in two series, inclined at a 

 very oblique angle to each other. In some sj^ecimens elongated spaces, 

 Avith well-defined margins, arc covered with thin films of pyrites, which 

 may have resulted Ynnn the replacement or incrustation of a mass of 

 minute spicules, of Avhich ti-accs remain in some places. 



It is to be observed in this connection that sponges having originally 

 jnurh kératose or other dense animal matter would naturally aggregate 

 in and ai-ound themselves a greater quantity of pyi-ite than those of a 

 more pui-eh' siliceous character. 



Genus STEPHANELLA, Hindc. 

 Established by Dr. Hinde, London Geological Magazine, 1891, p. 22, 

 to contain some sponge remains discovered by Dr. Ami in the Utica shale 

 at Ottawa, and consisting a])pai-ent]y of groups of very fine radiating 

 spicules. >S'. sancta, Ilinde, is the type species. Dr. Hinde regards them 

 as basal spicules of a sponge to which other outer structures Avhich have 

 perished may have been attached. 



14. StePHANELLA HINDU, s. n. 



(Figs. 27, 28 and 29.) 



Fig. 27. — Stephanella Hindii. Slightly enlarged. 



