184 



BRITISH SPONGES: 



there are no fecal orifices : interior fibrous and reticulated like 

 the surface : spicula numerous, minute, calcareous, all of them 

 triradiate, brittle, the rays pointed, not projecting at the surface. 

 This sponge has a fleshy feel and tear, and a somewhat coria- 

 ceous appearance ; and by the size of its pores and its conse- 

 quent cancellated structure, difiers remarkably from every other 

 species of the genus. 



The following is Montagii's description of his Spongia coria- 

 cea. It answers well to the specimens before me, but the agree- 

 ment is perhaps not close enough to remove all doubt of the 

 identity of his species with mine. " The fibres that constitute 

 this sponge," he says, " are composed of very fine spiculae, and are 

 intersected with numerous large pores and cavities, giving the 

 appearance of singed leather, or a piece of dark-coloured worm- 

 eaten wood in a very decayed state. One side is rather smooth, 

 with circular depressions or cavities. The only specimen that 

 has occurred is depressed, four inches in length, and above two 

 in breadth." 



Fw: 17. 



Ssicui.A OF Grantia. 



