AXINELLA. 145 
forms. On weathered surfaces of these beds the spicules have the appearance of 
a closely felted mass of delicate threads. 
Distribution.—Y oredale series : near Harrogate, Yorkshire ; Trelogan, Gronant, 
Flintshire. Upper Limestone series : Benachlan, Fermanagh. 
Genus.—AXINBELLA, O. Schmidt. 
1862. Die Spongien des adriatischen Meeres, p. 60. 
Branching fibrous Sponges. Spicules acuate or acerate, straight or curved. 
In the axial portion of the Sponge the spongin is more developed than near the 
periphery (Vosmaer). 
The genus is based on Sponges now existing in the Mediterranean. Entire 
fossil forms are unknown, but detached spicules, closely resembling those of 
existing species, are present in Carboniferous strata and more abundantly in the 
Greensand and Chalk, and may provisionally be referred to the genus. 
26. AXINELLA veTUSTA, Hinde, sp. nov. Plate IV, fig. 6. 
The spicules included in this species are smooth, robust acuates, with evenly 
rounded summits, gently curved, retaining an equal thickness for about one half 
their length, then gently tapering to an obtuse point. The specimen figured is 
2°3 mm. in length by -2 mm. in thickness. 
This form of spicule is not known earlier than in the Carboniferous Rocks, where 
it is of rare occurrence. 
Distribution.—Carboniferous Limestone: Clitheroe, Lancashire. Upper Lime- 
stone series : Glencart, Dalry (J. Smith). 
27. AXINELLA PAXILLUS, Hinde, sp. nov. Plate IX, fig. 10. 
The spicules in this form are smooth, nearly or entirely straight, of an even 
thickness for two-thirds of their length, then gradually tapering to an obtuse 
point. The summit is slightly inflated. An average specimen is 1:45 mm. in 
length by ‘08 mm. in thickness. 
This form approaches closely to spicules included in Awinella stylus, Hinde 
