386 COLLECTIONS FEOM MELANESIA. 



V Cacoapongia poculum, Sehrika, Z. wiss. Zool. xvii. p. 567, pi. xxxv. 

 fig. 7. 

 The specimens agree well with Esper's figure 7 and Bowerbank's 

 specimens. 



Eab. Bird Island, N.E. Australia (from coral-reef). 

 Distribution. N.E. Australia (5. J/. co?Z.) ; [Melbourne (^Anfca)?]; 

 Otaheite {Ellis). 



10. Carterispongia lamellosa. 



Spongia lamellosa, Esper, Pflmzmth. ii. p. 270, pi. xliv. 



Cacospongia lamellosa, Ehlers, Espersch. Spong. p. 16. 



? Carteriospongia otahitica, Hyatt, Mem. Boat. Soc. ii. p. 541. 



Eine dry examples showing the cabbage-like growth characteristic 

 of Hyatt's genus. Also specimens with single stem (showing, how- . 

 ever, traces of being composed of two or more united axes) and 

 simply flabellar, with more or less prominent longitudinal ridges on 

 one side, sometimes forming secondary flabellate expansions. The 

 specimens, being stUl invested with dried Barcode, have an umber- 

 brown colour and, a stiffness, which contrasts strongly with the 

 very pale colour and the flexibility of washed-out specimens. 



I cannot agree with Prof. Ehlers in placing this sponge, with its 

 close network, under Cacospongia, which is distinguished by the 

 loose wide meshes formed by the fibres. 



Hah. Port MoUe, Queensland, and " North-east coast of Australia." 



Distribution. Uncertain. 



11. Carterispongia fissurata. 



Spongia flssurata', Lamarck, Arm. Mus. Hist. Nat. xx. p. 382. 

 Carteriospongia vermifera, Hyatt, Mem. East. Soci p. 543. 



Cabbage-like heads formed of fiabelliform expansions, which fold 

 round at their lateral extremities, which then may, or may not, 

 unite with similar fronds which arise parallel to each other from 

 the multiple- stalked base or from the surfaces of other fronds. The 

 surface of the skeleton is even, without projecting ridges, but 

 honeycombed with small longitudinal, connected by short hori- 

 zontal, demi-canals, between which intervene small, usually lon- 

 gitudinally elongate ridges, which all lie on one level. The fibres 

 show very distinct lamination of the ceratinous material ; both pri- 

 mary and secondary fibres are sand-cored, but the sand is often 

 wanting over certain areas of the skeleton. Represented by dry 

 specimens. 



Hah. Thursday Island and Channel Eock, Torres Straits. 



Distribution. " Australian seas " (Lamarck) ; Phillip's Island, 

 probably near Melbourne (Hyatt). 



