320 Mr. H. J. Carter 07i Squamulina scopula, 



Further, also, it might here be added that, whenever speci- 

 mens of Leucosolenia botryoides are wanted, the most likely 

 place to find them will be about the decaying parts of the 

 roots of Laminaria digitata and L. hidhosa — that Grantia 

 clathrus^ Schmidt, seeks the same habitat, and that in one 

 specimen (which I possess) the latter has, for some inches in 

 diameter, so densely netted itself over the vault and through- 

 out the branches of the root-bunch of a large specimen of L. 

 digitata^ that, at first sight, I was doubtful whether I had not 

 one of the Myxogastres before me ; so intimately allied in 

 aspect, form, and habitat (the former being, of course, marine, 

 and the latter terrestrial) do these sponges appear to be to this 

 family of Fungi, 



Finally, I might add that, in two living specimens of a 

 sponge obtained from different localities, and bearing spicules 

 like those of HaUchondna panicea.! John., but possessing a 

 faint purple tint, I found the purple colour to be produced by 

 its being densely charged with smooth spherical cells so like 

 the sporidia of the Myxogastres, that, but for the presence of 

 the spicules and the specimens being fresh and living, I should 

 have concluded that these cells came from one of the Myxo- 

 gastres, and did not originally belong to the sponge. 



At present it seems to me, from the above observations, 

 that if we are to propose any class-arrangements between the 

 Sponges and the Corals, the Foraminifera must take an inter- 

 mediate position as the transitional form, unless they be all 

 viewed as branches from a common paleogenetic stock. 



Besides Halyphysema Tumanoiviczii (now our Squamulina 

 scopula)j Dr. Bowerbank adds another species, to which he has 

 applied the specific designation of '"'' ramulosa^'' and which he 

 states does '^ not exceed tw^o lines in height and about the 

 same in breadth, and in this space there are eight branches " 

 (Brit. Spong. vol. ii. p. 79). The specimen appears to be 

 unique ; and, in the absence of illustration and description of 

 the manner in Avhich the branches come off, this species, 

 although in other respects almost the same as Squamulina 

 scopula, must remain in abeyance, until chance favours some 

 one with another specimen, who will give an illustration and 

 a more detailed account of it. 



Under the genus Polytrema, Dr. Carpenter {op. cit. p. 236) 

 alludes to an arborescent specimen which was " completely 

 covered over with a membranaceous sponge, the spicules of 

 which seemed to radiate from the extremities of the branches," 

 and then adds, " Of the parasitic character of the sponge I 

 entertain no doubt Avhatever." 



Can there be any connexion between this and Dr. Bower- 

 bank's branched species of his Halyphysema ? 



