SPONGES 107 
Genus Microciona 
M. prolifera. When young this species forms bright-red incrustations 
over shells and stones ; later it rises into irregular lobes and tubular prom- 
inences. When fully developed it is profusely branched in a forking 
manner. The branches are more or less flattened, and often are palmate 
at the ends. It grows in clusters six inches in diameter, of a dark 
orange-red color. When dry it is grayish-brown, brittle, and bristly. 
It is found from Cape Cod to South Carolina, and is abundant in Long 
Island Sound. (Plate XXXIX.) 
Genus Tedania 
Irregular, uneven, pale-yellow masses spreading over seaweeds; 
oscula scattered irregularly over the surface; texture close. 
Genus Halichondria 
H. panicea, crumb-of-bread_ sponge. It resembles the erumb of 
bread, and is found cast up on all beaches. (Plate XX XVIII.) 
Genus Chalinopsilla 
C. oculata, the finger-sponge. Stem stout, more or less flattened, 
dividing at the upper end into branches which vary in form and thickness, 
being finger-like or more or less compressed lobes ; oscula scattered over 
the smooth, undulating surface ; texture rather hard, but delicate ; color, 
when. living, dull orange-red; when the animal matter is removed, 
white. The species is found in shallow and deep water from New York 
to Labrador. Common in Massachusetts Bay. (Plate XXXIX.) 
C.arbuscuta. Profusely branched in a forking manner from close 
to the base; branches slender; clusters six to eight inches high and 
about the same in breadth; color buff or gray when living, yellowish- 
white when free from animal matter ; texture finer and more delicate than 
that of C. oculata. Itis found in shallow water from Cape Cod to North 
Carolina, and is abundant in Long Island Sound. (Plate XXXIX.) 
Genus Huspongia 
E. officinalis. This is one of the commercial sponges and is known 
as the “glove-sponge.” It is the one of least marketable value, having 
inferior elasticity and becoming brittle with age; yet a Mediterranean 
sponge of the same species, variety adriatica, is of the finest quality and 
greatest value. This singular fact demonstrates that the quality of 
sponges depends largely upon physical conditions. £. officinalis has 
an average height of five to six inches. It grows on rocky bottoms 
in shallow water on the east coast of Florida. This species has a num- 
ber of varieties of various forms; some are dome-shaped, others tubular, 
rotund, flabellate, etc. The surface is covered with fine tufts and is 
generally free from ridges. On the sides are numerous small apertures, 
