SPONGIIBA. 461 



horizontally from the axis, about '4 miUim. apart, each about 10 to 

 20 spicules broad ; the spicules appear to be simply imbedded in 

 the dense, dull yeUow sarcode which forms the chief part of the 

 cortex, and they, project about "4 millim., diverging somewhat, 

 from its surface. Sarcode dull yellow, subtransparent, no distinct 

 granules visible. Spicules : — (1) Skeleton acuate, long and slender, 

 tapering gradually to basal rounded end from about ten diameters 

 from base, and very gradually to the sharp point (the basal portion 

 is thus little more than half the maximum diameter of the spicule) ; 

 size about -7 by -013 millim. (2) Smaller acuate ; as (1), but size 

 about -5 by "004 millim. 



Hah. Port Darwin, 7-12 fms. ; bottom sand and miid. 



This fine species is represented by two good specimens in spirit, 

 of which the largest measures 160 millim. (6| inches) in height by 

 4 millim. in greatest thickness. Near the base the axis is very 

 tough, and consists almost entirely of continuous colourless or pale 

 amber horny matter and of the imbedded spicules. As the skeleton- 

 Spicules are simply acuate, not spinulate, the distinction between this 

 species and R. syringetta is seen to be well marked. 



89. Raspailia (Syringella) clathrata. 

 (Plate XLI. fig. P.) 



Erect, branched approximately in one plane ; mode of branching 

 essentially dichotomdus, at angles of about 45°, anastomosis frequent. 

 Stem rudely cylindrical, 5 millim. in greatest dianieter ; branches 

 flattened out laterally, lateral margins sharp ; lateral diameter of 

 largest branches 5 miUim., of terminal branches 1 to 1'5 miUim. No 

 vents observed. Surface, in spirit, covered with low obsolescent 

 ridges, running into each other. Texture of branches in spirit tough, 

 elastic ; the terminal branches compressible, the larger ones hard, 

 the stem almost rigid ; colour pale dirty grey. 



Skeleton consisting of the skeleton-spicule traversing longitudinally 

 the branches and stem, about equally distributed throughout their 

 thickness, and of horizontal bundles of the same radiating towards 

 the surface, about 3 or 4 bundles in the circumference, about 10-12 

 spicules broad. No distinct dermis. Sarcode pale yellow, subtrans- 

 parent. In the base the reticulum of spiculo-fibre is backed by some 

 horizontal (circular) homy fibres, amber-yellow, -9 miUim. and up- 

 wards in thickness ; the bases of the radiating tufts and the general 

 reticulum of spicules is more or less sheathed in homy fibre (which 

 is quite pale in this place). Spicules smooth acuate, with weU- 

 rounded heads, tapering gradually to fine points; size about •& 

 by -Oil millim. in the horizontal bundles, from -6 by -0032 to -6 

 by -0095 millim. in the longitudinal series. 



Hah. Thursday Island, Torres Straits, 7-12 fms. ; bottom sand. 



The specimen which furnishes the above description is 105 millim. 

 (4| inches) high and 80 millim. (3-^ inches) across the broadest part. 

 It is remarkable for having several small stones and shells attached 

 to some of the outer branches, which perhaps indicates t;hat the 



