R. W. H. ROW—REPORT ON THE SPONGES: NON-CALCAREA. 30a 
Spicules. 
The spicules consist entirely of megascleres and are extremely slender. 
They are nearly always styli, but considerable numbers of oxea also occur, 
and the smallness of the diameter of the spicule frequently makes it very 
difficult to distinguish between them. They vary in length from 0:11 mm. 
to 0:13 mm., and average 0:0025 mm. in diameter. 
Spongin. 
Spongin is present in large quantity, the fibres being usually fully 
0-04 mm. in diameter. 
Locality. The two specimens were obtained at Shab-ul-Shubuk. 
Distribution. Red Sea. 
Sub-Family TEDANIINA. 
Desmacidonidee in which the megascleres are tylota and which do not 
possess echinating spicules. 
I 8 
TEDANIA ASSABENSIS, Keller. 
Synonymy :— 
1891. Tedania assabensis, Keller (18). 
1892. Zedania sp., Topsent (32). 
This species is represented by three large and complete specimens and a 
considerable number of fragments. The complete specimens are large, sub- 
spherical, cushion-like masses, whose diameter is about 120 mm., and whose 
height, from base to summit, is 80 mm. The under surface is smooth but 
slightly corrugated, but the upper surface is covered with the small foliaceous 
processes which are characteristic of the species. The fragments are, as a 
rule, about 25 to 30 mm. each way, and do not possess either the shape or 
the characteristic processes of the larger examples. That they belong to 
the same species as the complete specimens is, however, made evident by 
their spiculation. 
The colour of the sponge in life has been noted by Mr. Crossland in the 
case of the complete specimens as ‘“ vermilion.” The specimens described 
by Topsent (32), but not specifically named by him, are similarly coloured, 
in this case the term employed to describe the shade being “ orangées,” and, 
I think, without any doubt, belong to this species, as Topsent himself 
suggests. The colour of the specimens in the Crossland collection in spirit 
is white. 
The spicules are tylota, with their swollen ends minutely spined. 
Localities. Suez mud-flats (complete specimens), Suakin (fragments). 
Mnistribution. Red Sea ; Bay of Jibouti. 
28* 
