196 DR. HINDE AND MR. HOLMES ON SPONGE- REMAINS 



of the curve of the spicule. Length -036 mm., thickness of arms 

 •0053 mm., distance between the ends '108 mm. This rare form is 

 clearly allied to the flesh-spiculesof Forcejpia^ Carter (Ann. & Mag. 

 N. H. s. -1, vol. xiv. 1874, p. 248, pi. xv. fig. 47), originally based on 

 detached fossil spicules from Panama, and subsequently on recent 

 sponges, which, in addition to the flesh-spicule, possess acuate 

 and tibiella skeletal spicules, and in some eases minute anchorates 

 and hooks as well. The Oaraaru spicule (fig. 20) is closest allied 

 to the forceps in Forcepia (Halichondria) hulhosa, Carter, sp, 

 (Ann. & Mag. N. H. s. 4, vol. xviii. p. 312, pi. xiii. figs. 19 e, 

 f, g) ; but it differs in the curvature and divergence of the 

 arms, and may be accepted as indicating a new species, which may 

 be termed Forcepia Garteri. According to Vosmaer's figures, 

 the forceps spicules in the recent F. bulbosa vary considerably in 

 details (Bronn's Klass. u. Ordn. des Thierreichs, Porifera^ 

 Taf. xvi. fig. 37, Taf. xxi. figs. 5, 6). One recent species, F, colo- 

 iiensis, Carter, witli comparatively large forceps, is found at 

 Port Phillip Heads, Australia. It is worthy of note that in a 

 spicule so minute as the one figured on the scale of 600 diameters 

 there is a close correspondence with the spicules of existing forms 

 in such small details as the unequal length of the arms and the 

 downward direction of the surface spines. In another spicule, 

 probably referable to the same sponge (PI. IX. fig. 21), the arms 

 diverge so as to form an open curve, and they have a small convex 

 cap on their ends. 



Forcepia Yosmaeri, n. sp. — PL IX. fig. 22. Porceps spicule, the 

 arms nearly straight, tapering, thickest at the curve, subparallel 

 with each other, slightly unequal in length, abruptly truncate, 

 and divergent near their apices. The surface thickly covered 

 with minute spines projecting directly outwards. A continuous 

 axial canal extends throughout the spicule. Length '068 mm., 

 greatest thickness at curve -0087 mm. This differs considerably 

 from the preceding forms, and from the forceps of other recent 

 sponges. It probably belongs to a distinct species, which may be 

 known as Forcepia Yosmaeri. 



Sow-shaped or Tricurvate FlesJi- Spicules of 

 Amphilectus, Yosmaer. 



PI. IX. fig. 23. Smooth, slender, tricurvate, nearly evenly 

 cylindrical, with subangular central bend. Length, from end to 

 end, "21 mm., thickness '005 mm. Similar but larger spicules 



