Sponges from South Australia. 359 



l-6000th, in the fibre, and forming tufts (the granulations) on 

 the surface. Structure tough, dense, and compact. Size of 

 specimen 10 in. long, branches about |- in. thick. 



Depth 19 fath. 



Ohs. The subhispid character of the surface, the stelliform 

 venation around the vents formed bj collapse of the dermal 

 sarcode over the subjacent excretory canals, and the compact 

 dense structure of the tissue generally, at once points out the 

 difference between this sponge and a caulescent-branched 

 Qlialina. 



18. Axinella chalinoides^ var. glutinosa. 



Stipitate, caulescent, cylindrical, branched, the latter 

 chiefly divided towards the terminations, which are compa- 

 ratively short and pointed. Consistence soft on the surface, 

 dense towards the axis. Colour, when fresh, " chocolate," 

 now brownish mouse-colour. Surface smooth, even, hispid 

 where the dark glutinous sarcode of the exterior has sunk 

 down upon the long acerate spicules during desiccation. Vents 

 chiefly in two lines opposite to each other on the cylindrical stalks. 

 Spicule of one form only, viz. acuate, but of different sizes, 

 the largest and longest 135 by 2- GOOOths. Structure loose, 

 soft, and gelatinous on the surface from the thickness of the 

 dermis, becoming dense and hard towards the axis. Size of 

 specimen 8 in. long, larger branches about \ in. in diameter. 



Depth 20 fath. 



19. Axinella setacea. 



Stipitate, much compressed bunch of numerous branches, 

 radiating dichotomously and polychotomously from a short 

 stem ; branches cylindrical, terminating in sharp points, simple 

 and bifid at the ends respectively. Consistence soft, resilient. 

 Colour, when fresh, " dark yellowish brown," now dark 

 brown. Surface granular, hispid. Vents not seen. Spicules 

 of one form only, viz. acuate, curved, smooth, of different 

 sizes, chiefly confined to the fibre, in and projecting through 

 it ; the largest and longest which gives the setaceous character 

 210 by 42-6000ths ; another set but much smaller and shorter, 

 gathered together sheaf-like round the base of the long seta- 

 ceous one from the granulations on the surface. Structure 

 rather loose and soft externally, becoming compact towards 

 the axis. Size of specimen 4| in. high by 4^ x | in. hori- 

 zontally. 



Depth 7 fath. 



20. Axinella atropuvpurea, 

 Stipitate, somewhat compressed bunch of dichotomously 



