236 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
The sponge figured in juxtaposition to the type last described hails from the 
hotter and more remote waters of Torres Straits, and is remarkable as being an almost 
unique variety of the so-called “‘ Neptune’s Goblet” or “ Neptune’s Cup” sponge, Poterion 
patera. In its normal form, this sponge takes the shape of a huge cup or goblet, 
with a supporting stalk, and, as a whole, is commonly three or four feet in height 
and a couple of feet in diameter. In this instance, the sponge possesses no basal 
stalk, and in place of a deep, cup-shaped body, is spread flat out like a tray or 
salver of over three feet in diameter, having its margin slightly turned up, after the 
manner of an ordinary tray rim. From the centre of this basal tray, two other lesser, 
irregular cup-like developments of the sponge mass are raised one above the other 
to the height of little over one foot. Mounted flat, this sponge formerly did duty in 
the author’s collection as an appropriate show-table for a choice assortment of Torres 
Straits shells and is figured under these conditions on Plate XLII. of his volume on 
the “Great Barrier Reef.” This fine specimen has likewise fallen a victim to the 
insatiable appetite of the Sponge and Coral Galleries of the 
British Museum, where it is now on view. 
The companion pictures in general contour and design, 
represented by Plates XLI. and XLII. are included in this 
W. Saville-Kent, Photo, 
A VERTICILLATE STALKED sponcE, Caulospongia verticillata, S.-K. 
ONE-EIGHTH NATURAL SIZE, p. 235. 
B NEpPTUNE’sS CUP SPONGE, Poterion patera var. ONF-TENTH NATURAL SIZE. 
