PLATE 14. 



32 



Sponge Spiculee. 



It will be seen that in this small bunch of Sponge Spicules the 

 varieties of forms are almost endless ; some are straight, some curved, 

 others pin-headed and studded with small spikes at regular intervals ; 

 some pointed at both ends some at one, resembling a needle. The 

 most delicate and beautiful are those palm-shaped and bifurcate, 

 curving backwards and upwards, hook-shaped and barbed ; some are 

 short and stunted at one end. Indeed, an endless variety ! 



In many of these will be noticed an internal canal (much resembling 

 a thermometer tube). They are evidently silicious deposits, but I 

 think their origin is still attended with doubt. 



These spiculse are from the east coast of Newfoundland, at a depth 

 of 3,900 feet. 



