TETE AXON IDA. 53 



There are six specimens and fragments. The outward appearance varies greatly 

 according to age and size. In one small specimen the surface is finely hispid, in larger 

 ones conulose, and in very large ones conulated and with high meandrine ridges. The 

 largest specimen No. 118 (PI. XVIII. , fig. 1) is in the form of a wide thick-walled tube, 

 12 cm. high and G cm. in diameter, and with walls 1 "5 cm. thick, Ijut attenuating towards 

 the rim of the tube. This specimen is incomplete below. The orifice is circular, and 

 witliin the rim is a diaphragm contracted to a white line. 



The surface is covered with large conules and meandrine ridges rising to a height 

 of nearly 1 cm. 



The dermal membrane, iu the spaces between the conules and ridges, shows as a 

 fine lace-like reticulum, with circular pores 133 /x iu diameter, and Ijcneath it the 

 orifices (1-1 '5 mm. iu diameter) of the inhalant canals are visible. The exhalant 

 orifices on the inner wall of the tube are much larger than the inhalant ; they vary 

 from 1 to 6 or 7 mm., their edges are smooth and rounded. In the second largest 

 specimen, these orifices are arranged in longitudinal rows, and are oval with the long 

 diameter vertical. This arrangement results from the way in which the contraction 

 of the tubular sponge body is restricted by the main longitudinal skeletal fibres 

 running beneath the inner surface. 



In a third specimen (No. 132), the outer surface of the wall is almost smooth to 

 the naked eye, though under a lens it is seen to be finely hispid, with the top of oxeas 

 projecting from minute conules. 



In another specimen the basal part of the sponge divides into two tubes, one 

 of which is nearly smooth, and the other with ridged surface. 



The species closely resembles R. spinosella, Thiele (23. p. 459), from Punta 

 Arenas. In Thiele's species the body is tubular, with conulated surface, and the texture 

 is very soft ; but the skeletal framework is irregular, and the oxeas, though similar in 

 form, are much shorter, smaller and more slender, being only 150-170 ju. long and 

 7-8 /A thick. 



Another species showing certain resemblances to R. scottl, viz. R. aquaeductus 

 Schmidt, var. infundibular is (R. and D.), has a unispicular skeletal network. 



Specimens were dredged near Winter (Quarters, in No. 12 hole, 25-30 fms. ; S.E. 

 of Cape Armitagc, 100 fms.; off Flagon Point, 5-25 fms. ; off E. end of Ice Barrier, 

 100 fms., mud and stones. 



Reniera dancoi. 

 (Plate XVIII. , fig. 3.) 

 I'.lOl. Reniera dancoi, Topsent (29. p. 12, PL II., fig. 1, and PI. III., tig. o.) 



There are two specimens. One is of a compressed digitate form, 10 cm. long, 

 2' 5 cm. wide, and 1 cm. thick. Aljout the middle of one side is a projecting shoulder 

 with an oscule. Near, but not (juitc at the summit, on the opposite edge, is 

 a second oscule. The specimen is (jontracted at tlie centre; the alternate oscules 



