NO. 1690. NEW FRESH-WATER SPONGES— ANNANDALE. 629 



111 general structure the geinmules closely resemble those of Spon- 

 gilla lacustris. They are spherical and measure on an average 0.52 

 mm. in tliamoter. There is a thick granular coat, in which the 

 spicules are arranged close together and tangentiall}-, while an 

 outer layer of horizontal spicules can be detected on the surface of 

 some gemmules. The aperture of the gemmule, which is single, is 

 provided with a stout foraminal tubule, which is generally more or 

 less curved and projects through the granular coat. 



Remarks. — It is clear that this sponge is a close ally of S. lacustris^ 

 from which it may be distinguished by the absence of free spicules 

 and b}' the armature of the aperture of the gemmule. From my 

 SpoiKjilla prolifcvens it is distinguished by its more compact and 

 massive structure as well as its lack of free spicules. 



Spong'dJa sceptrioides has been recorded from New South Wales 

 and Queensland. 



SPONGILLA PHILIPPINENSIS, new species. 



The sponge has evidently formed a sheet of considerable size ad- 

 herent to some solid body but has been broken into small pieces in the 



Fig. 2. — Spongilla niiLirpiNENSis, fragment of skeleton, X 70. 



tj^pe-specimens, which are about 1 cm. thick. The surface is smooth, 

 with numerous oscula level with it. There is no trace of branches. 

 Proc.N. M.vol.xxxvi— 09 i4 



