Mr. H. J. Carter on a new Genus of Sponges. 369 



truncated branches of the dermal fibro-reticulation ; b, interstice 

 of the same ; ccc, layer of dermal sarcode, covering- the same ; 

 rf, pores in the sarcodal layer ; e, square portion of the sarcode, 

 filled in with/, dermal acerates; g 7 bihamates: and A. pigmental 

 cells. Scale l-48th to 1-G000tli inch. 



Fig. 9. Tethya — p undescribed (no. 452, reg. no. 40. 10. 23. 8 in 



the British Museum), zone-spicule of. Scale l-43th to 1-1 800th 

 inch. For comparison with fig. 7, b b. 



XLVJI. — New Genus of Sponges. 



By H. J. Carter, F.R.S. &c. 



[Plate XV. fig. 10, a-*.] 



Monanchora clathrata, Crtr., n. sp. et gen. 



The specimen of this sponge, which is in the Bowerbank 

 general collection at the British Museum, bears a label on 

 which is written " Freernantle, W. Australia, G. Clifton/' 

 but has been rendered so irregular in shape from having been 

 exposed to the action of the waves on the shore, where it was 

 probably picked up for preservation, that it is impossible now 

 to state what this was or to say anv more than that its struc- 

 ture is massive and cancellous or clathrous throughout, with 

 a crumb-of-bread texture in appearance and a tawny colour 

 (PI. XV. fig. 10). The spiculation, however, is unique, 

 inasmuch as it presents a sub-pinlike skeletal with a 

 single but remarkable form of flesh-spicule. The former con- 

 sists of a curved, smooth 

 up to the head, which 



GOOOths inch in its greatest dimensions (fig. 10, a) ; also 

 another spicule of the same length, but much thinner, with an 

 ovoid terminal inflation resembling that of the skeletal spicule 

 of an Esperia (fig. 10, b) . The latter or flesh-spicule is shaped 

 like the letter C with a straightish back, under a low power 

 like the equianchorate of Halickondria incrustans (fig. 10, c), 

 but when more magnified is found to have five linear arms at 

 each end, that, extending a little inwards towards the centre of 

 the shaft, present a claw-like appearance ; these in length are 

 about one fourth of that of the whole spicule, which is 7- 

 GOOOths inch, and together form an equianchorate flesh- 

 spicule (fig. 10, d, e). Size of specimen about 2£ inches in 

 horizontal diameter by H inch high. 



J lab. Marine. 



Loc. Freernantle, W. Australia* 



, pointed shaft, increasing gradually 

 is subterminally inflated, 93 by 2^- 



