THE SPONGES OP FUNAFUTI WHITBLEGGE. 325 



On comparing the specimens with the type I find it presents 

 exactly the same external characters. 



The colour of the specimens from Funafuti varies from light to 

 dark coffee brown, that of the type from Port Jackson is now (in 

 spirit) burnt umber colour ; in the description it is stated to be 

 gray. The specimen is attached to a piece of wood, which may 

 have stained it this colour. 



The spicules exhibit a little variation in size, but the average is 

 about the same as in the type, i.e., 0*12 by 0'004 mm. 



Low water-mark on reefs in the lagoon. 



RENIERA SP. 



This form appears to be identical with No. 42 Reniera sp. 

 described by Ridley.* 



There are numerous specimens in the collection, but owing to 

 the fragile nature of the sponge all are more or less broken. The 

 sponge consists of thin lamellae, which form folds or tubes, with 

 fairly large oscula at the summits ; the tubes are from 5 to 10 

 mm. in diameter, and from 5 to 30 mm. in height, the walls are 

 from 1 to '2 mm. in thickness, the oscula are 5 mm. in diameter. 

 Texture very fragile when dry, in spirit slightly elastic, but 

 easily broken if handled. Surface rather smooth in appearance to 

 the unaided eye; when seen with a moderate magnifying power it 

 is minutely reticulate with numerous round pores. Colour, when 

 alive rose pink, in spirits pinkish gray. 



Megasclera Small curved oxea suddenly tapering to acute 

 points, varying slightly in length and thickness, usually about 

 0.12 by 0.006 mm. 



Possibly this form may be a variety of Reniera rosea, Bower- 

 bank. According to Topsent, Reniera cinera, Grant, is identical 

 with R. rosea, Bowerbank. Grant's species is recorded from the 

 Philippines. 



Mangrove swamp (ante p. 324). 



HALICHONDRIA SOLIDA, var. RUGOSA, Ridley & Dendy. 



HalicJiondria solida, var. rugosa, Ridley & Dendy, Chall. Rep. 

 Zool., xx., p. 4. 



A single example agreeing with the description in colour, sur- 

 face, and texture. The spicules, however, are slightly less in size ; 

 the larger, stouter forms are about 0*85 by 0'025 mm. They vary 

 greatly in length and thickness ; they are usually slightly curved 

 and taper rather suddenly a few diameters from the ends, which 

 are more or less rounded. 



Reefs in the lagoon among the Sarcophyta. 



* Eidley Voy. "Alert," 1884, p. 410. 



