132 Records of the Indian Museum. [VoOL. VII, 
occur in India, throughout the plains of which it is apparently 
represented by the allied ‘‘ Spongilla”’ meyeni of Carter. In Nauku- 
chia Tal the species was found in two phases the peculiarities of 
which were probably due solely to environment. When attached to 
water weeds it assumed the form cf solid irregular masses often of 
considerable size and when attached to stones round the margin 
of the lake grew as thin films usually more or less circular in 
outline. 
A new variety of Sfongilla bombavensis, a species hitherto 
recorded from the Western Ghats, the Mysore plateau, the Island 
of Bombay and S. Africa, was distinguished from all forms pre- 
viously found by the production of delicate vertical branches on a 
basal film. It grew on branches of trees at the edge of the lake. 
Spec'mens of Spongilla cinerea found in the same situation showed 
no tendency to the formation of branches, but coated the bark 
in an almost uniform layer about I cm. thick. This sponge has 
hitherto only been found in the island of Bombay and in the 
Western Ghats. 
The only large crustacean which was obtained was a specimen 
of Potamon atkinsonianum. 
The plankton resembled that of Malwa Tal, but Entomos- 
trace seemed less abundant, while Peridiniaceae were more plenti- 
ful. In addition to Ceratiwm tongicorne, which here appeared not 
infrequently in its typical development, a few specimens of 
Peridinium apiculatum, Ehrenburg, were observed Insects again 
were exceedingly scarce, but a Rhynchoton belonging to the 
Naucorid genus Heleocoris, not seen in Malwa Tal, was found 
clinging to the under surfaces of stones on the margin of the lake. 
Cladocera, aquatic insects and molluscs occurred in great 
abundance in a small pond lying above the level of the lake near 
its northern end. 
BHIM TAL, 
Owing to the fact that this lake has been dammed at its 
eastern corner and provided with sluices in connection with the 
water-supply, the level of the water and the area covered by it 
can be regulated artificially to a considerable extent. It was 
visited in October, 1907, and in May, 1911, and on both occa- 
sions the sluices were closed and the lake full. 
Both sponges and polyzoa are fairly abundant in Bhim Tal; 
but the former grow less luxuriantly than in Naukuchia Tal, 
and the latter than in Malwa Tal. The following species were 
found:—Ephydatia fluviatilis, Spongilla cartert, Plumatella diffusa, 
P. allmani, P. emarginata, P. tanganyikae, and Lophopodella cartert. 
Fredericella indica was not obtained. 
Of the sponges in this list only gemmules! were found in 
October, 1907; but growing specimens were collected in May, 
IQII 
1 Annandale, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, 1907, p. 24. 
