378 Mr. H. J. Carter on 



little tufts of spicules that just project through the dermis 

 where the latter is entire, but where the dermis is abraded, 

 presenting a villous surface. Neither pores nor vents seen. 

 (They are generally very small in these sponges, and on 

 desiccation, from the compactness of the structure and the 

 thickness in consistence of the sarcode, disappear alto- 

 gether owing to the contraction of the latter.) Structure very 

 compact and condensed in the axis, becoming less so towards 

 the surface, also usual with these sponges. Spicules of one 

 kind only, viz. long, acuate, entering thickly into the compo- 

 sition of the axis, and appearing at the circumference in the 

 little "tufts" mentioned. Size of specimen 1ft. long; stem 

 thin, long, 5-8ths in. in diameter. 



Loc. Port Western. 



Ohs. This is simply a Dictyocylindrus without echinating 

 spicules, and therefore called an " Axinella.'''' 



Axinella coccinea, n. sp. 



Massive, lobodigitate, digitations united, contracted towards 

 the base, stipitate. Consistence lax. Colour rich deep purple- 

 red throughout. Surface even, smooth, fibro-reticulate, co- 

 vered by thin dermis. Pores in the interstices of the reticu- 

 lation. Vents conical, at the ends of the digitations respec- 

 tively. Structure lax, fibrous, consisting of spiculiferous 

 fibre stained by the red colouring-matter exuding from the 

 granules of the sponge; supporting sarcode plentifully charged 

 with dark red-purple granuliferous, pigmental cells, whose 

 cell-wall is colourless and about 10-6000ths in. in diameter, 

 accompanied by the granules also separately, in the form of 

 minute, spherical, pigmental cellulas about 2-6000ths in., 

 which have become extravasated into the tissue generally, but 

 of which I could see neither on the surface in the form of 

 epithelial cells ; structure traversed plentifully by the canals 

 of the excretory canal-system. Spicule of one form only, 

 viz. acuate, smooth, curved, rather abruptly pointed at one 

 end, round at the other, about 65 by l^-6000th in. ; coring the 

 fibre, and here and there projecting through it subechina- 

 tingly. Size of specimen 6 in. high by 4 x 4 in. in its greatest 

 horizontal diameters. 



Loc. Port Western. 



Obs. This differs from Axinella atropurpurea, viz. the 

 similarly coloured specimen already described (' Annals,' 1 885, 

 vol. xvi. pp. 359, 360), both in general form and spiculation, 

 as may be seen by comparing the descriptions respectively ; 

 but the colouring-matter and its persistence is the same, that 

 is to say it is neither altered by preservation in spirit nor by 

 desiccation. I am in doubt, from its loose structure, whether 

 it ouirht not to be considered a Chalina. 



