50 Mr. H. J. Carter on Specimens 



singly and combined in the form of rosettes respectively. 

 Size of specimen about l-6th inch in horizontal diameter. 



Hab. Marine. On hard objects. 



Loc. Gulf of Manaar. 



Obs. The remarkable form of the bihamate, together with 

 the short thick inequianchorate, is distinctly characteristic of 

 this Esperia, which is not the case with many other species, 

 in which the spiculation is so much alike that much confusion 

 still exists respecting them. 



Hymedesmina. 



Hymedesmia stellivarians, n. sp. 

 (PI. IV. fig. 10, a-e.) 



Laminifonn, extremely thin, spreading, smooth or hirsute. 

 Colour yellow. Spicules of two forms, viz. : — 1, pin- 

 like, smooth, fusiform, with oval head, 32 by l-1800t]i 

 (PI. IV. fig. 10, a) • 2, globostellate, rays short and conical, 

 or short and capitate, or long and pointed, respectively ; 

 hence the designation (fig. 10, b and c, d, e). Pin-like 

 spicule incorporated with the bed of stellates where the 

 parts are exposed, more or less erect where protected. Size 

 variable ; that of specimen about an inch in horizontal 

 diameter. 



Hab. Marine. On Hircinia fusca. 



Loc. Gulf of Manaar. 



Obs. I am inclined to think that the real colour of this 

 species is white, and that its yellow tint has been derived 

 from the brown colouring-matter of the Hircinia on which it 

 has grown. It is chiefly distinguished from the following 

 sponge, whose stellate is very similar, by the form and 

 smallness of the linear pin-like spicule. 



Hymedesmia Moorei, n. sp. (PI. IV. fig. 11, a-c.) 



Laminifonn, extremely thin, spreading, smooth or hirsute. 

 Colour glistening white. Spicules of two forms, viz. : — 

 1, pin-like, smooth, fusiform, chiefly curved towards the blunt 

 end, which is spherical, varying to simple uninflated acuate, 

 62 by 2-1 800ths (PI. IV. fig. 11, a) • 2, globostellate, rays 

 at first long and pointed, with body proportionally small, 

 then short, thick, and conical, with proportionally en- 

 larged body, finally mitre-shaped and microspined, 5-6000ths 

 (fig. 11, J and c). Where exposed the linear spicule is incor- 

 porated with the layer of stellates horizontally, but where 

 protected it is erect. Size variable ; that of specimen about 

 an inch in horizontal diameter. 



