116 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Genus nALlCHONDRlTKS. Dn. 



13. — Ualichondritks confusus, DawsDii. 



(Fig. 2(J.) 



Fig. 26.—Halichondrifes confuatis. 

 Spicules enlarged. 



Oval or irveo-uliiv masses of small simple spicules, imbedded in patches 

 of pyrite, and without any definite arnin<);ement of ivot spicules, may 

 indicate tlie presence of a halichondroid sjionge. In the best preserved 

 specimens the spicules appear to be biacerate and more slender and 

 pointed than in the last, and they seem to be in two series, inclined at a 

 very oblique angle to each other. In some specimens elongated spaces, 

 with well-defined margins, are covered with thin films of pyrites, which 

 may have i-esulted from tlie rei)lacement or incrustation of a mass of 

 minute spicules, of which traces remain in some places. 



It is to be «)bservcd in this connection that sponges having originally 

 much keratose or other dense animal matter would naturally aggregate 

 in and around themselves a greater quantity of pyrite than those of a 

 more purely siliceous character. 



Genus STEPHANELLA, Hinde. 

 Established by Dr. Hinde, London Geological Magazine, 1891, p. 22, 

 to contain some sponge remains discovered by Dr. Ami in the Utica shale 

 at Ottawa, and consisting ai)parently of groups of very fine radiating 

 spicules. *S'. sancta, Ilinde, is the type species. Dr. Hinde regards them 

 as basal spicules of a sponge to which other outer structures which have 

 perished may have been attached. 



14. — StEPHANELLA HINDU, s. n. 



(Figs. 27, 28 and 29.) 



Fig. in.—Stephanella IlindU. Slightly eiiliirgcd. 



