340 A, EL Verrill—The Bermuda Islands; Coral Reefs. 
Owing to its softness it is not easy to dry the larger specimens in 
good condition without previously hardening in alcohol; even then 
the specimens often collapse. When dry the color is usually pale 
green or yellowish white. It may form masses 6 to 8 inches thick 
and 12 to 20 broad. 
It is reputed to be poisonous if handled. It certainly irritates the 
skin of many persons and causes eruptions and intense itching. 
This is probably due to the very fine and sharp spicules entering the 
skin, as in the case of other similar sponges. Also common in 
Florida and the West Indies. It is closely related to Mediterranean 
and Pacific Ocean forms of the genus ( 
14 
T. digitata, ete.). 
Figure 179.—Tube-sponge, Spinosella sororia, var., + nat. size. 
Figure 180.—Scarlet Sponge, Tedania ignis, from a dry specimen of the massive 
form, 14 nat. size. Both phot. by A. H. V. ‘ 
Family, Awinellide. (P. 333.) 
Axinella appressa, sp. nov. Plate xxxvp, figs. 10, 11. 
Sponge divided into numerous, upright, slender, angular branches, 
6 to 8™™ thick, covered with small, irregular, conical and compressed 
elevations, mostly directed upward, and slightly hispid; subdermal 
areolee tubular, roundish, very unequal. The larger, 1™" wide, 
rather close together. Dermal layer seldom preserved, thin, with 
small pores often arranged in small circular groups over the areole. 
Fibers rather strong, closely filled with rather long, mostly curved, 
stylote spicules, the longer ones .32 to .40™™"; the shorter ones .20 to 
25™™ long. The primary fibers are not very distinct from the others, 
