308 Duhlin Natural- History Society. 



Montagu ; it is mentioned in Bowerbank as Dictyocylindms hispidus, 

 but no Irish locality given. At the same meeting Dr. Scouler brought 

 to notice fine specimens of Halkliondria Johnstonia. Dr. Scouler 

 considered at the time that it presented features so different from 

 what had hitherto been recorded, from its remarkable papillous ap- 

 pearance, and in the pecuHarity of the pores, as to form it into a 

 new genus — Amphitrema. It has not been recorded from the coasts 

 of Ireland by either Johnston or Thompson. It has been collected 

 in several parts of Galway Bay ; but Mr. Andrews was not aware of 

 any other locality on the Irish coast. Dr. Bowerbank has formed it 

 into a new genus, Pachijmatisma (Pachymatisma Johnstonia). A 

 drawing was made by the late Dr. Harvey, and several characteris- 

 tics of the spicula noticed, which present great variety of forms, 

 similar to several occurrmg in other genera. The ovaria are nume- 

 rously imbedded in the structure. 



One of the most remarkable that had been collected in Galway 

 and Dingle Bays was Hcdichondria celata, Johnston (Cliona celata, 

 Grant, and subsequently named EapJiiras Gi'iffithsii by Bowerbank), 

 No sponge has caused more confusion than this, whether we con- 

 sider its range in deep and shallow water, its varied distribution of 

 attachment, or the very dissimilar outline of form and structure it not 

 unfrequently assumes — so much so, that i/. celata of Johnston had been 

 divided into twelve species. It still presents such anomalies that it 

 is not improbable that new features may be described when the ques- 

 tion of its decided animality is more thoroughly investigated. It is 

 one of those difficulties that have to be encountered in the examina- 

 tion of the anatomy and physiology of the sponges ; for unless col- 

 lected and dissected with care in the living state, no true charac- 

 teristics can be depended upon. Dried specimens give by no means 

 even a correct outline of their form or mode of growth ; and the 

 more remarkable features are altogether lost — the pecuhar action of 

 the oscula and pores, the mode of reproduction, — independent of the 

 beauty of their tints, which are altogether altered in the diied state 

 or in spirit preparations. Mr. Andrews frequently noticed the great 

 alteration of character that almost suddenly takes place in marine 

 objects, especially dehcate species, when placed in spirits. Mr. An- 

 drews regretted to find, on inquiry, that the collection of sponges 

 that had been made for the Natural-History Society had been put 

 astray or lost at the time of the confused removal of the museum 

 from the rooms which the Society held in Brunswick Street, and 

 also that not more than one-third of the specimens are at present 

 forthcoming in the Royal Dublin Society's collection, formed by Dr. 

 Scouler — which may be attributed to the same cause, the packing 

 and stowing away when the claange from the rooms and the altera- 

 tions in the museum were made. There were several unique speci- 

 mens that had been collected by M'Calla. 



