spoifanDA. 399 



and besides being primarily based on an erect species, requires the 

 spicules to form the greater part of the skeleton-fibre, which he 

 reconciles with the structure of 0. limhata by stating that the 

 horny matter in this species shrivels when dried. 



27. AcerTOchalina fiuitima. 



Chalina finitima, Schmidt, Atl. Geh. p. 33. 



Several specimens agreeing with this Atlantic species. ' They 

 have the general habit of Qlathria oroides, Schmidt, which from a 

 low massive body throws out blunt spurs. On the spurs are placed 

 numerous small vents, 1-4 miUim. in diameter, biserially or irregu- 

 larly arranged. Texture in spirit very soft and elastic ; colour pale 

 yellowish brown. Skeleton network close, rectangular ; fibres stout, 

 pale yellow or colourless ; spicules multiserial in primary, biserial 

 or uniserial in secondary fibres. Spicules smooth, gradually and 

 sharply pointed ; size about -1 by -0018 millim. (i. e. a little thinner 

 than in West-Indian specimens). 



Rab. Port Jackson, 0-5 fms., Percy Islajid, Queensland, 0-5 

 fms. ; Alert Island, Torres Straits, 7 fms. 



Distribution. Florida, Antilles (Schmidt).. 



A. finitima differs from the British species limbata in its general 

 shape, that of limbata being globular to lobate. 



The specimens measure about 50 millim. (2 inches) in greatest 

 diameter, and 25 miUim. in height. 



\ 28. Tuhabullata. 



? Spongia buUata, Lamarck, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. xx. p. 43 (nee 



var. 0) ; nee Siphonochalina buUata, Schmidt. 

 Spongia aculeata, Linn^, pars, Syst. Nat. ed. 12, p. 1297. 



"Wide-mouthed tubes, 50 to 200 millim. high (2 to 8 inches), 

 rising from a common horizontal lamina, from which they appear 

 to be formed by the reversion and curling of its edges. Tubes 

 irregular in lumen, 35 to 125 millim. (]|- to 5 inches) in maximum 

 diameter. Surface asperated by a network of low sharp ridges, beset 

 with numerous sharp -points, 1 to 3 millim. high. Mouth of tubes 

 somewhat constricted, inner surface smooth. The surface-tufts are 

 seen on examination generally to proceed from narrow superficial 

 ridges which run over the surface in different directions. The pro- 

 longation of the margin spoken of by Lamarck is not to be made 

 out distinctly. 



Skeleton of narrow rectangular meshes. Primary fibres about "1 

 to "14 mUlim., secondary -42 to "7 millim. in diameter, both full 

 (in most places) of the acerate spicules, though these are somewhat 

 closely aggregated. Spicules (i.) fusiform, tapering to sharp points 

 from within about two diametersof the apices, -18 by 0095 miUim, ; 

 also (ii.), probably a variety of (i.), acuate, about -14 by -0063 millim. 



This species appears to be widely distributed between Japan and 



