278 Mr. H. J. Carter on some West-Indian 



form an irregular loLate mass. Orifice ciliated. Differing 

 from the species last mentioned, viz. T. lineata, in the absence 

 of the fine dermal reticulation usually characterizing these 

 sponges, which is replaced by a penicillate surface formed of 

 prolongations of the tissue, between which are an equal 

 number of holes, now, like the vents, opening into the interior, 

 but ]irobably in the fresh state covered by a dermal fibro- 

 reticulation supporting the sarcode in Avhich the iiores were 

 situated. Largest specimen, which is that described, 4 inches 

 high by 4 inches thick. (Spicule, PI. XL fig. 5.) 

 Log. Nassau. 



Tuba anni(jera, de F. et M. (p. 43, pi. viii. fig. 3). 



Irregularly cylindrical, crooked, solid, repent, long, simple 

 or branched, scantily furnished with prolongations of the 

 tissue in the form of coarse spines. Surface covered witli tlic 

 usual fine, smooth, dermal fibro-reticulation. Vents large 

 and numerous. Largest specimen about 8 inches long by ^ 

 to 1 inch in diameter. (Spicule, PI. XL fig. 6.) 



Loc. La Guyra. 



Ohs. The group of sponges to wliich the foregoing three 

 species belong ap])ears to me to be more develoj)ed in the A'^''est- 

 Indian seas than in any other part of the world, judging from 

 the amount and variety of them in the British Museum. They 

 are for the most part aculeated, and all hollow ; all are com- 

 posed of resilient fibre, and the fibre cored with a variable 

 amount of spicules, in which, as in ChaJina ruhens^ the kera- 

 sine element greatly predominates. The spicule is of one 

 kind only in all, and this for the most part smooth, curved, 

 fusiform, and sliarp-pointed, viz. the typical " acerate," vary- 

 ing somewhat in size and form, although still always '' acerate" 

 (PI. XL figs. 4, 5, 6). The colour, when dry, is always tawny 

 yellow, and the resiliency that of sponges in Avhicli the kerasine 

 . element ])repon derates over the amount of spicules, as just 

 stated. To this group de Fonbressin and Michelotti have 

 given the name " Tuba'''' (p. 44), but, as usual, have not 

 made any allusion to the spicule j their division of it, however, 

 into three sections seems to be so reasonable that I will here 

 insert them, viz. : — 



" Section L 



" Orifice du Siphon fortement cilid 



" a. Tissu fin, surface cxterieure nsunic de processus spini- 

 form-encroutes. 



" b. Tissu grossicr, surface extericure herlssee de pinccaux 

 de fibre non-encroutes. 



