1873.] DR. J. S. BOWERBANK ON THE SPONGIADvE. .'J 



much like a Cormorant. None of the figures hitherto published 

 of the various species seem to me to give its proper attitude. The 

 best, perhaps, are those of Audubon. 



6. A Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus nigrico!lis,Yiei\\.), likewise 

 received from Maranham, and also new to the Society's collection. 



Mr. Sclater exhibited some skins of birds made up from a small 

 collection in spirits, which had been sent to him by Dr. George 

 Bennett of Sydney. Dr. Bennett stated that the specimens had 

 been collected by Capt. Fergusson, of the steamer 'Captain Cook,' 

 during a trading voyage to New Britain, New Ireland, and the neigh- 

 bouring islands. 



Mr. Sclater referred the specimens to the following species : — 



1. Sauloprocta melanoleuca (Q. et G.). From New Britain. See 

 P. Z. S. 1869, p. 119. 



2. Graucalus melanolorus (G. R. Gray) : Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. 

 1864, p. 443 *. From New Zealand. 



3. Merops ornatus, Latham. From New Britain. 



4. Halcyon albicilla (Dumont). From New Ireland. 



5. Halcyon chloris (Bodd.). From New Ireland. 



6. Halcyon sanctus (Vig. & Horsf.). From New Ireland. 



7. Lorius cardinalis (J acq. et Puch.). From Duke of York's Islandf. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Contributions to a General History of the Spongiadce. 

 By J. S. Bowerbank, LL.D., F.R.S., &c— Part IV. 



[Received November 1, 1872.] 



(Plates I.-IV.) 



Geodia Flemingii, Bowerbank. (Plate I.) 



Sponge massive, sessile. Surface even, more or less hispid. Der- 

 mal membrane unknown. Connecting spicula atteuuato-expando- 

 ternate, simple or bifurcated, shaft occasionally cylindrical ; also 

 recurvo-ternate spicula, shafts slender and very long. Oscula con- 

 gregated in dispersed, irregular groups, small and numerous. Pores 

 inconspicuous. Interstitial membranes — retentive spicula of two 

 sorts ; large ones, cylindro-sphero-stellate with numerous short radii, 



* Dr. Hartlaub, who has examined this specimen, tells me that it differs 

 from examples of the species in the Bremen Museum from Batchian, Mysol, and 

 Halmaheira, in " the under surface of the body being yellowish white, and the 

 fore neck, breast, and epigastrium only of a somewhat darker, greyish shade." 

 In the specimens from the above-named localities the grey colour of the under 

 parts is "much more conspicuous and more extended." But without seeing 

 further examples, Dr. Hartlaub would not like to separate it. — P. L. S. 



t Dr. Bennett points out to me that this Lory differs from the specimen from 

 the Solomon Islands, described and figured by Dr. Finsch (P. Z. S. 1869, p. 126, 

 pi. xi.), in having the naked skin at the base of the lower mandible yellow. 

 But it agrees otherwise so closely with Dr. Finsch's description and figure that I 

 do not doubt its belonging to the same species. Duke of York's Island is be- 

 tween New Britain and New Ireland. — P. L. S. 



1* 



