Sponges from South Australia. 217 



while it is certain that it was among the Australian sponges 

 which Mr. Kirk sent to him about the end of 1840 (Trans. 

 Microscop. Soc. Lond. vol. i. p. 32). 



3. Dysidea hirciniformis, n. sp. 



Specimen a caulescent chaliniform bunch of solid stems, 

 each about \ in. in diameter, rising from a common con- 

 tracted origin, dichotomously divided two or three times, and 

 ending in pointed extremities. Consistence soft, delicate. 

 Colour, when fresh, " pale buff, inclining to purple at the tips," 

 now delicate flesh-colour generally. Surface conulated in 

 strong relief. Pores between the conuli. Vents scattered 

 here and there. Vertical and lateral fibre, all arenaceous. 

 Size 5 in. long. 



Hab. Marine. 



Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth 19fath. 



Obs. This species in its conulated surface resembles Dy- 

 sidea fragilis, but is much coarser in general structure, espe- 

 cially in the flat spreading forms, where the dark rich flesh- 

 colour of the sarcode is very striking, and recalls to mind the 

 " rosy " tint of Spongclia avara, Sdt. 



4. Dysidea chaliniformis, n. sp. 



Caulescent, branched, stipitate ; consisting of a compressed 

 bunch of solid cylindrical stalks rising from a common stem ; 

 branches numerous, small and simple below, some not more 

 than £ in. in thickness, ending in a sharp point, which is 

 sometimes bifurcated ; increasing in size upwards, dividing 

 and interuniting ; the whole most irregularly. Consistence 

 light, fragile, compressible. Colour reddish brown. Surface 

 even, but minutely wrinkled from the sinking of the dermal 

 pore- membrane upon the subjacent arenated fibre. Pores 

 plentifully scattered throughout the dermal membrane. Vents 

 also numerous, scattered over the flattened portions of the 

 branches or in a line along them. Structure fibrous, fibre 

 arenated throughout; texture fine. Size of specimen about 

 12 in. long by 5 x 1 in. horizontally. Great diversity in the 

 size of the branches, of which the largest and longest are f in. 

 in diameter, while the smallest do not exceed g of an inch. 



Hab. Marine. 



Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth 19fath. 



Obs. The caulescent character of this species, together 

 with the solid, cylindrical, simple, and subdivided condition 

 of the branches and the arrangement of their vents, would, at 

 first sight, lead to the supposition that it was a specimen of 



