26 M.C. Semper on Euplectella aspergillum. 
be referred to the genus Helicograpsus, viz. H. gracilis, Hall, 
sp.; and it is distinguished by the following characters :— 
Frond compound, consisting of a tubular S-shaped funicle, 
which gives off two sets of monoprionidian branches, one 
from each of the convex portions of the curve, in the man- 
ner described under the genus. The “funicle” itself is 
very slender, and in some specimens shows traces of a small 
triangular radicle in its centre. The celluliferous branches 
are from eight to twelve in number (7. e. four to six in each 
set) in most of our specimens; but they are as many as 
thirty-three in an example figured by Hall. The first 
branches are almost rectangular to the funicle, but the later 
ones become gradually less so. They are very narrow at 
their commencement, but widen out till a breadth of 5 to 
zs inch may be attained; and this would doubtless be ex- 
ceeded in larger specimens. The cellules are from twenty- 
five to thirty in the space of an inch, inclined to the axis at 
a small angle, the cell-mouths rectangular to the axis, and 
running partially across the stipe. 
Loc. Common, and tolerably well preserved, in the anthra- 
citie shales of Glenkiln Burn, in Dumfriesshire. Rare in the 
black slates of Cairn Ryan, Wigtonshire. 
Il.—A few words on Kuplectella aspergillum, Owen, and its 
Inhabitants. By C. SEMPER*. 
Tue last numbers of the ‘Annals of Natural History,’ for 
December 1866 (p.487) and January 1867 (p. 44), gave us 
two small memoirs by John Edward Gray upon a Sponge 
from the Philippines which was known to the travellers Quoy 
and Gaimard, and more accurately described by Owen, in 1841, 
under the generic name of Huplectella. Apparently this Sponge 
has hitherto been one of the greatest rarities in our museums ; 
and it is only within the last few years that a greater number 
of specimens, derived from the Philippines, have come to Eu- 
rope. As I believe that I have no unimportant share in this 
increase of museum treasures, and have had the opportunity 
of seeing a considerable number of them, both here and in the 
Philippines, I will venture to make a few remarks upon them. 
So long as I had only a few claims of priority to make, I 
thought I might keep silence ; but now, when it appears as 
* Translated by W. 8. Dallas, F.L.S. &e., from Wiegmann’s ‘ Archiv,’ 
1867, pp. 84-89. ‘ 
