19(i DR. J. S. BOWKRBANK ON SPONGIADvE. [Feb. 20, 



2. Contributions to a General History of the Spongiadce . 

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



[Received January 23, 1872.] 

 (Plates X. & XI.) 



Geodia M'Andrewii, Bowerbank. (Plate X.) 



Sponge massive, sessile ; surface even, tbickly pitted, hirsute with 

 large and long fusiformi-acerate external defensive spicula, promi- 

 nently projected ; and at the surface with long fusiformi-spiculated 

 porrecto-ternate, and very large attenuato-porrecto-furcated ternate 

 external defensive spicula, slightly projected. Dermis furnished 

 profusely beneath the dermal membrane with minute subspinous 

 cylindro-stellate spicula. Dermal membrane thin and translucent, 

 spiculous ; spicula fusiformi-acerate, minute and slender. Connecting 

 spicula attenuato-patento-ternate, very large, and occasionally with 

 tbe radii furcated ; and also attenuato-recurvo-ternate spicula, long 

 and slender, few in number. Oscula small, congregated in an ex- 

 tensive superficial area. Pores congregated in numerous small de- 

 pressions or pits, furnished with small radiating fasciculi of fusiformi- 

 acerate tension-spicula, and with numerous minute subspinous cylin- 

 dro-stellate retentive spicula. Skeleton-spicula fusiformi-acerate, 

 very large and long. Interstitial membranes — tension-spicula fusi- 

 formi-acerate, small and variable in size ; retentive spicula subspinous, 

 cylindro-stellate, very minute. Ovaria subglobose, large, depressed. 



Hub. South side of Vigten Island, Norway, 100 fathoms (Robert 

 M' Andrew, Esq.). 



Colour. Deep cream-yellow. 

 Examined in the dried state. 



This remarkably fine species was brought up by the dredge of 

 my friend Mr. M'Andrew, from 100 fathoms depth, at the south 

 side of Vigten Island, Norway. In its dried condition it is 10| inches 

 in length by 9 in width and 5| inches in height, and has the form 

 of an irregular hemisphere. One end of the mass is depressed into 

 nearly a circular plane, extending from the base line to near the top 

 of the sponge ; and the middle of this plane for 5 inches in diameter 

 is occupied by small oscula, rarely attaining a line in diameter, but 

 exceedingly numerous. My late friend Mr. Lucas Barrett, who ac- 

 companied Mr. M'Andrew, says that when fresh from tbe sea it 

 was nearly 18 inches in diameter at the base, and "that the whole 

 of the surface, excepting that part occupied by the oscula, was fur- 

 nished with long bristle-like spicula, very numerous and as close 

 together as the hairs on a man's head, and that it was extremely 

 heavy and fleshy in its texture." Notwithstanding the partial 

 drying it had undergone during its voyage home, the interior when 

 I received it had much the consistence of indurated liver. I think 

 the specimen comprises nearly the whole of the sponge, and that 



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