234 Mr. H. J, Carter on Deep-sea 



the whole of the stem is very hard and the structure of the 

 axis becomes extremely dense from the closely impacted state 

 of the spicules of which it is composed ; while the excretory 

 systems, being numerous and short-branched, are consequently 

 diminutive in form, so that neither the vents nor the pores 

 are very conspicuous in sponges of this kind ; again the acuate 

 spicule is here, as generally in this order, more or less 

 suddenly curved excentrically — that is, towards the large end, 

 which thus, together with the inflation of this extremity, 

 frequently resembles the hilt of a pistol. 



Dictyocylindrus simplex, n. sp. 



I have applied this name to small amorphous fragments of 

 a sponge occurring here and there by itself and on other 

 sponges dredged up between the north of Scotland and the 

 Faroe Islands, which only differs from D. anchorata in the 

 absence of anchorates. This is all the information that the 

 specimens afford. 



Dictyocylindrus virgultosus, Bk. (Mon. Brit. Spong. vol. ii. 

 p. 113, and vol. iii. pi. xix. figs. 14-18). (PI. XTI. fig. 5, 

 and PI. XV. fig. 27.) 



General form pyramidal or conical, elongated, sharp-pointed, 

 expanded at the base ; pyramids grouped. Colour yellowish 

 white. Surface hirsute, even, covered with small eminences 

 consisting of tufts of spicules radiating from points respec- 

 tively, where their ends are gathered together and fixed in the 

 dermal sarcode around the base of a large spicule. Pores and 

 vents not evident, from the smallness of the specimens. Inter- 

 nal structure compact throughout, becoming most so towards 

 the centre, composed of bundles of spicules in close approxima- 

 tion, arranged longitudinally and diminishing in number 

 towards the apex of the cone ; imbedded in cancellated sarcode, 

 which is, no doubt, traversed by the excretory canals. Spi- 

 cules of two kinds, viz. skeleton- and flesh-spicules. Skele- 

 ton-spicule of two forms, viz.: — 1, large, acuate, smooth, sharp- 

 pointed, curved suddenly or bent towards the large extremity, 

 132- by li-1800ths inch (PI. XV. fig. 27) ; 2, subskeleton- 

 spicule small, acerate, curved, sharp-pointed, 32- by ^-ISOOths 

 inch (PI. XII. fig. 5, d). Flesh-spicules of one form only, 

 viz. acuate or club-shaped, sharp-pointed, bent and inflated at 

 the large extremity, uniformly spined throughout, spines short 

 and vertical, 1 1- to 14-1800ths inch long (fig. 5, c) . The large 

 acuates are chiefly found in the body of the sponge, where 

 they are arranged longitudinally or in vertical bundles ; but 

 the largest traverse the dermal sarcode obliquely and form 



