R. W. H. ROW—REPORT ON THE SPONGES : NON-CALCAREA. BUS 
CHALINA MINOR, n. sp. (Text-fig. 12.) 
This new species has been created for the reception of two small 
specimens. 
The first specimen is of irregularly ovoid shape and shelters a small crab. 
The complete specimen measures 28 mm. long by 19 mm. wide, and is 19 mm. 
high at the highest point. 
The second specimen does not shelter a crab, but there is on one side a 
shallow oval depression, from which it seems likely that a crab has been 
detached. The specimen is an upright mass, somewhat larger than the 
previous one, and measures 30 mm. by 35 mm., and is 82 mm. high. All 
over the surface of the sponge, except the depression supposed to have been 
occupied by a crab, there occur irregular and rather large fragments of 
calcareous matter and rock (average size 5 mm.xX5 mm.), some of which are 
merely attached to the surface, while others are actually partially embedded 
in the sponge. 
The true surface of the sponge is wanting in both specimens, the dermal 
membrane having been entirely destroyed all over the specimen. As a result, 
the surface appears finely reticulate, as the skeletal fibres are apparent. This 
reticulation varies in the size of the mesh from 0-1 mm. to 1:0 mm. 
The oscula and pores were neither visible, doubtless owing to the destruction 
of the dermal membrane. 
The colour in spirit is a rather dirty yellowish white. 
The texture of the sponge is soft and easily compressible, but nevertheless 
tough and not easily broken. . 
Skeleton arrangement. 
The skeleton consists of a fairly regular reticulation of spicule-covered 
spongin-fibre, in which primary and secondary fibres are clearly differentiated. 
The primary fibres run radially, as a rule about 1:0 mm. apart, though in 
some parts of the sponge they lie more irregularly, sometimes close together, 
and in other places much more rarely. They always contain several rows of 
spicules, usually 5 or 6. These spicules are arranged in a somewhat plumose 
manner in the fibres, so that their outer points extend frequently almost to 
the surface of the fibre. The fibres measure 0:06 mm. in diameter. 
In the secondary fibres the spicules always lie uniserially, and there are 
frequently short gaps between the ends of the spicules in the fibre. The 
fibres do not possess any definite orientation, but form a fairly regular 
network which varies in size of mesh from 0°2 mm. to 1‘0 mm. The fibres 
measure, on the average, 0°004 mm., some being as small as 0°03 mm., while 
a few may be found as large as 0:06 mm. 
