222 Mr. H. J. Carter on Spongiophaga. 
XXIII.—On Spongiophaga in Spongilla. 
By H. J. Carter, F'.R.S. &e. 
THrouGH the kindness of Mr. Kdward Potts of Philadelphia, 
United States, I have received a present of twenty-four slides 
of different kinds of Spongilla for examination; and among 
them are at least four (I think six; but there are certainly 
four) that contain unmistakable evidence of the presence of a 
new species of Spongiophaga, which I desire to name after Mr. 
Potts, who brought it to my notice, “ Spongiophaga Pottsi.” 
The spongiophagous filament in this instance rises by one 
(the broad) end from a prolongation of the chitinous coat 
through the hilous opening of the seed-like body or statoblast 
of Spongilla, and, after twisting about for some time, gradually 
becomes diminished in thickness to an almost immeasurable 
point or irregular termination—thus not ending in a bulb at 
each end, like the marine species Spongiophaga communis 
(‘ Annals,’ 1878, vol. ii. p. 168), but in other respects identical 
with it. Apparently from two to four filaments are extended 
from the prolongation mentioned, webbed together at their 
origin, like the arms of a Cephalopod; and, besides being 
found in a new species of Spongilla from a small stream in the 
Centennial Grounds of Philadelphia, it also occurs in the 
same species from Bethlehem, about fifty miles distant ; while 
two other slides, each bearing specimens of Meyenia (Spongilla) 
Baileyt, Bk., from Buffalo, Lake Krie, appear to be equally 
affected by the same (if not still another) species. The 
existence of Spongiophaga in the fresh- as well as in the salt- 
water sponges is thus substantiated. Whether it belongs to 
the animal or vegetable kingdom, no one yet has been 
able to find out, although it is perfectly evident that the marine 
species destroys the sponge which is infested by it. It is to be 
hoped that Mr. Potts, who, like Lieberktihn with the marine 
species, is under the impression that it is part of the sponge 
itself (op. e¢ loc. cit.), will, under the advantage of a medium 
which is much more manageable than sea-water, be able to 
trace its development, and thereby tell us something more about 
it, if not what it really is. Meanwhile I hope before long to 
state more in detail, with illustrations, that which I can make 
out of this enigmatical organism from the slides. 
XXIV.—On some Mammals from Kandahar. 
By J. SCULLY. 
Lreut.-Cou. C. SWINHOE lately intrusted to me for exami- 
nation a small collection of mammals which he made in the 
