410 C0LLECTI0N8 FBOM MELANESIA. 



Spongida " (Ann. & Mag. N. H. (4) xvi. p. 178) calla Crassa ; in its 

 cup-shaped form and cylindrical spicules it is evidently nearly allied 

 to B. cratera, Schmidt (A.dr. Meer. p. 73). It was described by 

 Lamarck in 1815, and has not been since identified as a sponge or 

 redescribed. The present specimen agrees well with the description, 

 and with the specimen which represents the species in the Museum, 

 in both the larger and the minuter characters. It is certainly not, 

 as Lamarck suggests (I. c), the Sjpongia cristata of Ellis and 

 Solander. 



Mab. Port Denison, Queensland, 4 fms. 



Distribution. Lamarck's conjecture as to the locality, viz. "Seas of 

 Europe, " can hardly be correct. 



42. Beniera, sp. 



WaU-like. A small specimen atta,ched to a filamentous Alga. 

 It is erect, broad, laterally compressed ; maximum thickness 6 

 miUim., length 25 millim., height 19 millim. On the sloping and 

 narrow upper margin is placed one blind rounded eminence and the 

 suborbicular opening, 4-5 millim. wide, of a deep oloacal cavity, 

 which rises from near the base of the sponge. The skeleton-fibres 

 have 1- or 2-serially arranged spicules ; the latter are short, smooth, 

 curved acerates, tapering to sharp points from within about three 

 diameters of ends, size -11 by '006 millim. Texture of sponge in 

 spirit soft, brittle ; colour dull pinkish grey. Surface even, glabrous. 



ffab. Port Darwin, between tide-marks ; bottom mud and rock. 



43. Reniera, sp. 



Laminar. Some fragments of a laminar Reniera (s. str.) of erect 

 habit occur in the collection. The lamina is 1 to 2 miUim. thick, 

 and exhibits curves in some pieces, perhaps indicating that the 

 original form was cup- shaped ; its free edge is quite thin ; both 

 surfaces are quite even and of a texture resembling fine cloth, 

 exhibiting very minute apertures, closely set, all over. Texture of 

 sponge in spirit very soft and compressible, subelastic, but very 

 readily torn ; colour dull pale yellowish brown. Main skeleton very 

 regular ; primary lines biserial, running parallel or obliquely to 

 lateral surfaces in centre of lamina, but curving out towards the 

 surface of the sponge, which they meet at right angles ; these lines 

 scarcely one spicule's length apart ; secondary lines uniserial, the 

 single spicules usually crossing obliquely the spaces between the 

 primaries. Sarcode dull brown, rather granular. Spicules smooth 

 acerate, very slightly curved, tapering graduUy to sharp points from 

 about five diameters from ends ; size '175 by "0079 mUHm. 



The specimen when entire must have been two or three 

 inches high and as many wide. It strongly resembles Isodictya 

 infundibuliformis, Bowerbank, in growth, texture, and surface-cha- 

 racters, but its spicules are less stout and do not include acuate 

 forms. It is a striking species, and should be recognized from the 

 above description when met with in a perfect state ; until that 



