48 It. KlKKl'ATUK'K. 



Spicules. Megascleres. Oxeas, 537 x 22 -75)01, sharp pointed, sub-tornote, a 

 few being distinctly toruote. 



IMicroseleres. Sigmata, very abundant both in choanosome and ectosome, C-shaped, 

 39 X 16 • 25 /i, in length and breadth, and 1 • 5 /a thick. 



There are two specimens. One of them is in tlie form of a triangular lamella 

 dividing into two sub-terete branches, the total length being 10 "5 cm., the breadth 

 3" 5 cm., and the thickness 1 cm. The second specimen is 11 cm. long and 3 cm. broad, 

 with little more than a notch at the upper edge, indicating a division into branches. 

 The Hcshy matter is nearly all macerated out, leaving a flexible skeletal framework. 

 In the first specimen the surface shows the little conules penetrated by spikes 2-3 

 spicules thick, with scjuarish concave depressions about "5 mm. l)ctwcen any four 

 conules. The dermal pores are imperceptible. There is a thin collenchymatous 

 ectosome about 'IS mm. thick, excavated by shallow sub-dermal cavities; the 

 eurypylous flagellated chaml)crs are ovoid, 26 x 23 /x. The new species bears some 

 resem))lance to Gellius JlageUifer (R. and D.), but differs from it in the absence of 

 the peculiar flagellate sigmata. Further, G. flafiellifer has an even surface, and 

 a dermal skeleton network of spiculo-fibre ; l)ut iu the new species the secondary 

 fibres, usually not more than one spicule thick, are often not present at or just 

 below the surface. 



Dredged near Winter Quarters, off Hut Point, 25-30 fms. ; and at No. 12 hole, 

 25-30 fms. 



Gellius cucurbitiformis. 

 (Plate XVII., figs. 5, 5a-c, Plate XXIV., fig.s. 5a-b.) 

 19(i7. Gdliuft cunirUliformis Kirkpatrick (10a. p. 288). 



Sponge small, free, bulbous with fistular prolongations. Surface smooth, showing 

 under a lens a fine white reticulum. Colour in spirit, pale l)rown. Consistence, 

 rather soft. 



Skeleton. With a distinct dermal layer of irregularly arranged tangential oxeas. 

 Choanosonial skeleton a rcti(;uluni (with s(|uai-c or triangular meshes) of spiculo-fibre, 

 the strands 2-3 spicules tliick, with a faint indication of main fil)res i-adiating to 

 the surfa(-c. 



Spicules. IMegascleres. Oxeas, 342 x '.)*75/i, slightly curved, sub-tornote. 



JNlicroscleres. Sigmata varying in size, the smallest being about 20 /u, long, 

 C-shaped and with uniform curve, and the largest 39 ju, long, 19"8ju. broad and 

 \--2li thick. 



There are two small specimens, both of which were found in a tangled mass of 

 dehrifi surrounding a worm-tul)e. The larger, the type specimen, consists of a Ijasal 

 bulbous portion, 13 mm. long, 7 mm. broad, and 8 mm. high, from one side of which 

 arises a rather thick-walled fistula 13 mm. liigh and 5*5 mm. in diameter; at the 

 opposite side is a l)roken circular area, from which, in all probaliility, a second fistula 



