Sjponges from South Australia. 293 



mentioned as massive forms, and no. " 208 his,^ registered 

 37. 5. 13. 36 &c., as more or less digitate forms somewhat like 

 those of Chalina polychotoma ; so that it appears to be by no 

 means common, although it is so remarkable in structure. 



Again, in group 5, viz. the Baculifera, the echinating 

 spicule is not spined, but its hammer-shaped or crutch-like 

 head is imbedded in the surface of the fibre, together with a 

 like form in its interior, which, combined with its cork-like 

 consistence, unmistakably defines this type. 



HiGGlNSiNA, new group. 



Lastly, to this family I must add the group above men- 

 tioned, viz. " Higginsina," for sponges in which the apparent 

 analogue of the spined echinating spicule is not club-shaped, 

 but acerate, that is fusiform and sharp-pointed, and not echi- 

 nating, but loose in the tissue ,* for a typical species of which 

 I must refer the reader to the West- Indian sponge ^^Higginsia 

 coralloides " and its varieties described and illustrated by 

 Mr. Thomas H. Higgin, F.L.S., in the 'Annals' for 1877 

 (vol. xix. p. 291 &c. pi. xiv. figs. 1-5). Called after the Rev. 

 H. H. Higgins. 



To this I will add the following description of a Cape 

 variety of this sponge, in which the r^wattached position of 

 the echinating spicule is not so evident, and an acuate is 

 added to the acerate skeletal spicule. 



Higginsia coralloides^ var. natalensisy n. var. 



Flabelliform, erect, stipitate, ridged on each side prolife- 

 rously ; ridges thin, ragged, and in strong relief, radiating 

 and branching from the stem to the circumference. Consis- 

 tence tough, firm, in the dry state, with hard inspissated sarcode 

 and compact structure. Colour orange. Surface uneven, 

 hispid. Spicules of three forms, viz. : — 1, skeletal, thick, 

 smooth acuate, 70 by 3-1 SOOths in. in its greatest dimensions ; 

 2, subskeletal, thin, smooth acerate, about 50 by ^-1800ths 

 in. ; 3, echinating spicule, a spinous acerate rather bent than 

 curved in the centre, about 8 by |-1800th ; no. 1 is arranged 

 in tufts surrounded by no. 2 in great numbers, among which 

 is no. 3, all projecting outwardly, as they successively and 

 together emanate from the fibre. Size variable, the largest 

 specimen 5^ in. broad by 2^ in. high. 



Hah. Marine. 



Loc. Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope. 



Ols. Of this species, whose spiculation is somewhat diffe- 



