CALCAREOUS SPONGES. 785 



view, and necessitate, as we have already pointed out, its wide 

 separation from the other so-called Pharetronid sponges. 



The presence of tuning-fork spicules in Lela2)ia cannot be taken 

 as indicating close affinity with the latter, for, as is well known, 

 such spicules occur in Ha^ckel's Leucandra (Leucortis) pidvinar 

 and L. (Leucetta) jmndora, while they are replaced in Kehira, the 

 only other known genus of Lelapiidfe, by radiates in which the 

 oi-al rays have been practically suppressed. 



Genus 49. Lelapia Gray [1867]. 



Diagnosis. Skeleton of the chamber layer composed of large 

 scattered oxea and loose fibres of tuning-fork spicules. 

 Dermal skeleton of tangential triradiates and microxea. 

 Gastral skeleton of tangential triradiates and quadriradiates. 



For illustrations of this genus see Dendy [1893 B]. 



This genus Avas originally based by Gray on figures published 

 by Bowerbank of the characteristic tuning-fork spicules. Carter 

 really first described the sponge, adopting Gray's name, Lelapia 

 <mst7-alis, for the species which he studied. There is, of course, 

 no guarantee that Carter's species is either generically or 

 specifically identical with that which furnished the spicules 

 figured by Bowerbank. There is some probability, however, from 

 the locality, and from the fact that the spicules are stated by 

 Bowerbank to have been " loosely fasciculated," that the two 

 species ai'e really identical, and in any case the genus and species 

 may conveniently be retained for the sponge described by Carter. 



The only known species is : — 



1. L. AXJSTRALis Gray. 



'^ A neio species of sponge'^ Bowerbank [1858-1862]. 

 Lelapia australis Gray [1867]. 

 Lelapia australis Carter [1885-1886]. 

 Lelapia australis Dendy [1893 B]. 



Genus 50. Kebira Row [1909]. 



Diagnosis. Skeleton of the chamber layer composed of large 

 longitudinally arranged oxea, and of loose fibres of sagittal 

 triradiates whose paired rays are vestigial. Dermal and 

 gastral skeleton of tangential triradiates. 



For illustrations of this genus see Row [1909]. 



The only known species is : — 



1. K. UTEOIDES Eoiv. 



Kehira uteoides Row [1909], 



