306 Mr. H. J. Carter on 



tions of the structure over subjacent branches of the excretory 

 canal-systems, like the radiating ridges ; thus circumscribing 

 the " depressions." 



Finally, there is a spirit-preserved specimen of this species 

 of a globular form, elongated laterally, which appears to bs 

 intermediate between the last-mentioned and Stelospongus 

 leviSj and in which there are nine unmarginatel vents of 

 different sizes, large and small, irregularly scattered over the 

 upper part. It is 6 in. high, including the stem, by 5 x 3 

 in. horizontally ; stem 2i in. long. Same locality, in 7 fath. 

 This as a variety might be termed Stelospongus lotus for con- 

 venience. 



Stelospongus tuberculatus (provisional). 



Specimen globular, tuberculated, stipitate, consisting of 

 short dividing and interuniting branches, terminating in round 

 knobs on the surface, which altogether assume a globular 

 form ; rising from a hard, cylindrical, truncated stem (? cut 

 off by the dredge). Consistence firm. Colour, when fresh, 

 " grey ; " the same now, that is from the sandy exterior. Sur- 

 face even, consisting of a thick arenaceous incrustation spread 

 uniformly over the tuberculated head, concealing the subja- 

 cent fibre, and presenting a reticulated structure in low relief 

 and of a white colour when dry, which arises from a heaping 

 up together of the sand-grains &c. of which it is composed. 

 Pores in the interstices of the reticulation. Vents numerous 

 but small, chiefly confined to the more prominent parts 

 respectively of the tuberculiform processes. Fibre of two 

 kinds, viz. cored or axiated with foreign bodies, and simply 

 keratose, the former vertical and the latter lateral. Size of 

 specimen 5 in. high (including the stem, which is lj in. long) 

 by 3 x 2i in. horizontally in its greatest dimensions. 



Hah. Marine. 



Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth 18 fath. 



Obs. I am not certain of the proper location of this species 

 in point of classification, for although it closely resembles 

 Stelospongus levis in the structure of the sandy incrustation 

 &c, the general form, like that of a knotted Chalina, is so 

 different that I have thought it best only to name it " pro- 

 visional^,'* chiefly to record its description. Then the general 

 form of sponges is so little to be depended upon that, after 

 all, the difference in form may go for nothing in a specific 

 point of view. 



G'dongia vasiformis, n.g. & sp. 

 Specimen vasiform, deep, conical, stipitate, wide at the 



