DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY. 



137 



in an Alcyonarian coral growing on a cable. The spicule 

 is exhibited in the Hexactinellid Sponge-case in the Coral 

 Gallery ; presented by J. T. Last, Esq. 



A collection of pieces of sponges cut from type specimens 

 in the Berlin Museum, and sent to the British Museum 

 (Nat, Hist.) in exchange for pieces of type specimens in 

 the British Museum Collection ; one hundred and eighty- 

 three species are represented in all, and constitute a valuable 

 index of several collections recently described by German 

 naturalists. 



Two immense Horny Sponges, the largest specimens 

 known. One {Hippospongia equina) is 3 feet in diameter, 

 and in the form of a cart-wheel rim ; the other {Euspongia 

 officinalis, var. lamella, or the Elephant's Ear Sponge) is 

 in the form of a flattened circular slightly concave disk 

 supported on a short central stalk on the under surface ; 

 purchased. 



VI. — Visitors and Students. 



The total number of visits paid to the three sections of 

 the Department during the year by Students and other 

 persons requiring assistance or information amounted to 

 10,813, as compared with : — 



11,811 in the year 1905. 

 11,824 „ 1904. 



11,627 



1903. 



10,633 



1902. 



12,813 



1901. 



11,923 



1900. 



10,728 



1899. 



10,830 



1898. 



9,708 



1897. 



7,995 



1896. 



E. Ray Lankester, 



Director and Acting Keeper 



of Zoology. 



