137 



PLATE LIV. 



ISODICTYA INFUNDIBULIFOBMIS, Bowerhcink. 

 Vol. ii, p. 317, ' Mon. Brit. Spongiadaj.' 



Fig. 1. — Represents a remarkable specimen com- 

 posed of two individuals of the ordinary funnel-like 

 shape of this species, which have united by marginal 

 contact in their young state, and have continued their 

 development in this singularly conjoined condition, 

 admirably illustrating the natural law that when two 

 sponges of the same species come in contact with each 

 other they unite and ultimately form one sponge. 

 The specimen is in the dried condition, and the inner 

 surface of each cup exhibits innumerable minute oscula. 

 Natural size. 



I am indebted to my kind friend Mr. Peach for this 

 fine specimen. 



Fig. 2. — An abnormous form of, apparently originally, 

 a cup-shaped specimen ; such distorted forms are of 

 frequent occurrence . Figured from a specimen in the 

 condition it came from the sea. Natural size. Shetland. 



Fig. 3.- — A small cup-shaped specimen, from the 

 Hebrides, preserved in spirit as it came from the sea. 

 Natural size. 



Fig. 4. — A small cup-shaped specimen, from Loch 

 Fine, preserved in spirit as it came from the sea. 

 Natural size. 



Fig. 5. — A small fan-shaped specimen, preserved in 

 salt and water as it came from the sea at Shetland. 

 Natiiral size. The fan-shaped specimens are of fre- 

 quent occurrence, and are sometimes of considerable 

 size. 



Fig. 6. — A remarkably narrow cup-shaped specimen, 



