360 Mr. H. J. Carter on 



and polychotomouslj divided cylindrical branches, more or 

 less interunited clathrously, terminating elkhorn-like or poly- 

 cliotomouslj, with obtuse rounded ends. Stem short and 

 thick. Consistence soft on the surface, hard in the axis. 

 Colour when fresh " dark purple," the same now, as this is 

 one of the few species which retain their colour, for it has 

 now been in spirit for upwards of a year and a half without 

 being the least altered in this respect, which may be owing 

 to the colouring-matter being contained in rather tough trans- 

 parent cells, where it exists in the form of several large black- 

 purple granules. Surface even, granulated, with granular 

 tufts of spicules. Vents small, here and there on the surface. 

 Spicules of one form only, viz. acuate, sub-pinlike, or slightly 

 inflated at the base, but of different sizes, the longest and 

 largest 300 by 7^-6000ths, around which, towards the proxi- 

 mal end, a number of others of the same shape are gathered 

 sheaf-like, varying under 90 by l^-6000ths. Structure soft 

 on the surface, hard towards the axis. Size of largest speci- 

 men, for there are three of this beautiful sponge, 2^ in. high, 

 including the stem, by 3^ X 1^ in. horizontally. 

 Depth 19 fath. 



21. Axinella stelUderma. 



Stipitate, compressed bunch of dichotomously and poly- 

 chotomously divided cylindrical branches, more or less amal- 

 gamating and interuniting on their way to the terminations, 

 which are conical and pointed singly or bifidly. Consistence 

 soft, resilient. Colour when fresh " purplish maroon," 

 yellowish white now. Surface even, granulated, granules 

 smooth and round on the summit, stellately radiating towards 

 each other in reticulated lines of the fibrous dermis which are 

 thus arranged. Vents not seen. Spicules of one form only, 

 viz. acuate of different sizes, the longest and largest about 

 180 by 2-6000ths, projecting from the summit of the granule 

 and surrounded at its base sheaf-like by a number of shorter 

 ones. Differing from the following variety, viz. Axinella 

 StelUderma, var. acerata, only in the form of the spicule, which 

 is acuate instead of acerate. Structure soft on the surface, 

 hard and compact towards the axis. Size of the largest 

 specimen, for there are two, 7 in. high by 7 X 4 horizontally. 



Depth 10 fath. 



22. Axinella stelUderma^ var. acerata. 



Stipitate, compressed bunch of short, thick, cylindrical, 

 dichotomously and polychotomously divided branches, more 



