Knowledge of the Spongida. 319 
of the Axinellida. This specimen was presented to me in its 
dry state by my late friend, Dr. Dickie, F.R.S. 
Phycopsis hirsuta, n. gen. et sp. (Pl. XIV. fig. 11.) 
Stipitate, thickly and dichotomously branched, covered 
with a brown loose shaggy coat, looking altogether like a 
species of /ucus; branches round, exceedingly hard and rigid, 
diminishing in size dendritically, until they end in attenuated 
sharp points. Axial or condensed portion of the stem, which 
gives the rigidity, predominating over the hirsute appendages, 
especially towards the base, composed of colourless fibre 
charged with the spicules of the species, and so hard and 
tough as to resemble the dried stalk of a stipitate Laminaria 
or Keratophyte ; hence preeminently illustrating this cha- 
racter in the Hchinonemata. Shaggy or hirsute coat com- 
posed of minute sarcodic filaments about half as long 
as the diameter of the condensed or axial portion, ema- 
nating in a round form from the circumference of the latter 
and equally charged with spicules of the species, curving 
upwards and outwards, and becoming more or less spatular as 
they approach their termination, which is sometimes slightly 
bifid; echinated as usual throughout by the projecting ends of 
the internal spicules. Spicule of one form only, viz. acerate, 
curved, smooth, sharp-pointed at each end, 29 by 2-1800ths 
inch in its greatest dimensions (fig.11). Size of specimen about 
4 inches broad by 4 inches high, and, being compressed, about 
1 inch thick ; stem 3-12ths inch in diameter at the base. 
Hab. Marine. 
Loc. South Australia. 
Obs. The characters of this specimen as above given are 
sufficient to distinguish the species, which, at first sight, looks 
so much like a specimen of hirsute sea-weed that microscopic 
examination is necessary to prove that it is a sponge. It was 
sent to me by the late Dr. Dickie, F.R.S. 
So far as my observation goes there is not another 
sponge of this order with such a dense, large, wood-like stem. 
Undoubtedly it is closely allied in most respects to the British 
species of ‘“Dictyocylindrus, Bk.,” but, unlike these species, it 
has only one form of spicule, and that an acerate ; while all 
the British species of Dictyocylindrus possess an acuate skele- 
ton-spicule and a short, clavate, spined echinating one, which 
places them in the first family of this order. There is a 
similar specimen in the British Museum which also came from 
“ Australia,” viz. No. 621, registered 72. 11.6.1. Probably 
the characteristic stiffness or rigidity of all the species of 
Dictyocylindrus, especially that of the stem, is owing to the 
strong, glue-like, tenacious nature of the sarcode. 
23% 
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