188".] ON A COLLECTION FROM CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 507 



Spinosella velata, sp. n. 



Sponge consisting of a number of irregularly cylindrical or 

 compressed tubes, united basally and sometimes laterally. Heio-ht 

 19 cm., breadtb 13 cm. Largest tube 4-5 cm. in diameter at top. 

 Tubes provided with broad, horizontal, circular diaphragms, pro- 

 jecting inwards at a short distance below the margin. Outer surface 

 of tubes distinctly spinose. 



Main skeleton a network of fairly stout fibre ; network usually- 

 irregular, sometimes rectangular. Local concentrations of tlie 

 skeleton network form longitudinal veins, as in S. sororia, &c. 

 Fibres about 0044 millim. thick. Dermal skeleton (on the outside) 

 an irregular reticulation of slender fibre. 



Spicules slightly curved, sharp-pointed oxea; size O'l by 0-0045 

 millim., but usually slenderer. Occurring in the fibres and scattered 

 outside. 



Bahamas. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Report on a Zoological Collection made by the Officers 



of H.M.S. ' Flying- Fish ' at Christmas Island, Indian 



Ocean. Communicated by Dr. A. Gijnther, V.P.Z.S., 



Keeper of the Zoological Department^ British Museum. 



[Eeceived May 27, 1887.] 



(Plates XLI.-XLIV.) 



I. Mammalia, by Oldfield Tho- 

 mas, p. 511. 

 II. Birds, by R. B. Sharpe, p. 515. 



III. Reptiles, by G. A. Boulengbr, 



p. 516. 



IV. Mollusk8, by E. A. Smith, p. 517. 

 V. Crustacea, by R. I. Pocock, 



p. 520. 



VI. Coleoptera, by C. O. Water- 

 no0SE, p. 520. 

 VII. Lepidoptera, by A. G. Butler, 



p. 522. 

 VIII. Echinodermata, by E. J. Bell, 

 p. 523. 

 IX. Porifera, by A. Dendy, p. 524. 



At the suggestion and through the kind mediation of Capt. 

 Wharton, F.R.S., Hydrographer of the Admiraltv, advantage was 

 taken of a recent visit to Christmas Island of H.M.S. 'Flying-Fish,' 

 under the command of Captain Maclear, to make observations on, 

 and collect specimens of. Natural History. This oceanic island is so 

 far out of the usual track of navigation and so unattractive to those 

 interested in commercial pursuits that no naturalist seems to have 

 had an opportunity of visiting it. Even the time and circumstances 

 of its discovery and the man who named it are unknown. 



From its geographical position it was not to be expected that its 

 littoral fauna would prove to be in any way differentiated from that of 

 the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean ; but it seemed desirable to pay special 

 attention to any terrestrial animals that might be observed ; and 



