242 



the projection of vertical tufts of spicules, and sho ving beneath 

 the reddish dermal membrane, a fine lace-like reticulum. Pores 

 and oscules not distinguishable 



Skeleton, a network with rectangular meshes, .1 x .05 mm. 

 in diameter ; the meshes arranged serially and longitudinally 

 in a central lamina ; but on each side of the central lamina 

 meshes with the long diameter more or less vertical to the 

 lamina and sponge surface ; strands of long sides of meshes 5 

 to 10 spicules thick, of short sides 2 to 3. 



Spicules. — Style, 225 x 12 m, smooth, curved at junction of 

 upper and middle third. 



Colour brick-red, with here and there small patches of blue 

 on the outer surface where the latter has been bruised by 

 pressure. 



Locality A. — East London coast, 85 fathoms. 



The one specimen is 21 cm. in height by 12 cm. broad, and 

 I cm. thick. The rounded stalk is 5.5 cm. in height by 2 cm. 

 in thickness. The stalk grows into a sub-caliculate flabellate 

 expansion, the shallow cup at the summit of the stalk being 

 1.5 cm. deep. 



The skeleton shows well the transition between the Renierid 

 and Axinellid type. 



Hymeniaoidon oaliculatum, var. osciilalmn. 

 Plate VI., Fig. 13. 



The sponge is brick-red in colour and forms a flat flabellate 

 expansion 19 cm. in height by 17 cm. in breadth and 7 mm. in 

 thickness, rising from a broad, short stalk. 



One surface is covered with small oscular depressions 2 mm. 

 in diameter. The spicules are styles 200 x 16 ^^ ; they are 

 shorter, thicker, and more curved than in the type. 



Locality A. — East London coast, 85 fathoms. 



Genus Phakellia (Bowerbank). 



Phakellia microxephora, sp. n. 



Plate v., Fig. 9. Plate VI., Fig. ga-d. 



Sponge stipitate, forming a thin, flat flabellate expansion, 

 which in the thinner peripheral parts is seen to be composed 

 of a very close-meshed network, covered on both surfaces by a 

 close pile of vertical tufts ; on one surface white-branched 

 bands apparent. 



Smaller circular orifices about i mm. in diameter on both 

 surfaces. 



Spicules. Megascleres. — Vermicular strongyles, abundant, 

 670 to 1250 x 12 to 16 M, smooth. 



