84 Mr, H. J. Carter on the Freshwater Sponges of Bombay. 
shghtly curved, smooth, pointed at each end, about =,th of an 
inch in length; small spicula also shghtly curved, thickly spi- 
niferous or pointed at each end; the former, pertaming to the 
seed-like bodies, are about z1,th of an inch in length ; the latter, 
pertaining to the investing membrane, are more slender and a 
little less in length. (Plate III. fig. 4.) 
Hab. Sides of the freshwater tanks in the island of Bombay, 
on rocks, stones, gravel, or temporarily on floating objects. Sel- 
dom covered by water more than six months in the year. 
Observations.—This species is frequently found spreading over 
the flat surfaces of rocks to a considerable extent (like Sp. cinerea) 
without throwing up any processes ; on the other hand, it is also 
found in circumscribed portions throwing up irregularly formed 
ragged projections, of an inch or more in length. It surrounds 
floating objects, such as straws, or binds together portions of 
gravel, showing in this latter state a greater degree of tenacity 
than any of the other species. In structure it is a coarse form of 
Sp. cinerea, but differs from it m colour as well as im the size of 
its seed-like bodies and spicula; possessing at the same time that 
peculiarity which distinguishes it from all the other species, of 
having numerous small spiniferous spicula in its investing mem- 
brane, which, when dry, gives it that white, lacelike appearance, 
which has led me to propose for it the specific term of alba. 
4. Sp. Meyeni, n. s—Massive, surface convex, presenting 
large lobes, mammillary eminences, or pyramidal, compressed, 
obtuse or sharp-pointed projections of an inch or more in height, 
also low wavy ridges. Colour yellow. Growing in circumscribed 
masses, seldom attaining more than 3 inches in height. Texture 
fine, friable, soft, tomatose towards the base. Structure fibrous, 
reticulated, radiated. Seed-like bodies spheroidal, about 3th of 
an inch in diameter, studded with little toothed disks. Spicula of 
two kinds, large and small ; large spicula slightly curved, smooth, 
pointed at each end, about ;,rd of an inch in length; small spi- 
cula straight, sometimes slightly spiniferous, terminated by a 
toothed disk at each end, about ;3,nd of an inch in length. 
(Plate III. fig. 1.) 
Hab. Sides of the freshwater tanks in the island of Bombay, 
on rocks seldom covered by water more than six months in the 
year. 
Observations.—I have never observed this species either en- 
veloping floating bodies, or growmg anywhere but on rocks, in 
circumscribed portions. It varies like the other species in being 
sometimes more, sometimes less firm im texture. No other spe- 
cies resembles the officinal sponges in external appearance so 
much as this when fully developed and free from foreign sub- 
stances. It is distinguished from the foregoing by the regularity 
