PLATE LXXVI. 231 



equi-ancliorate ones congregated in rosette-shaped 

 groups. 



Skeleton. Fasciculi polyspiculous, compact, irregu- 

 larly disposed ; spicula subclavate, subfusiformi-acuate, 

 stout, and rather long. Gemmules membranous. 



Colour. — Living state, dark red or orange ; pale green 

 in spirit. 



Habitat. — Jersey; Rev. A. M. Norman. Ramsgate, 

 on old piles at extreme low water ; Jas. T. HilHer, Esq. 



Examined. — In tlie living state and from spirit. 



The aspect of this sponge is by no means interesting 

 or beautiful. It covers roughly and unequally the 

 stem of a fucus for about one inch and a half, and in 

 no part is thicker than about two lines. The rugged- 

 ness of the surface is produced by the projection at 

 various angles of the large skeleton fasciculi beneath 

 the dermis, and this character obtains in the sponge in 

 its natural condition as well as when mounted in 

 Canada balsam. 



The oscula are not visible in its natural condition, 

 but they are frequently apparent in portions of the 

 dermal membrane mounted in Canada balsam, but I 

 could not under any circumstances find open pores. 

 The dermal membrane abounds in large tension spicula ; 

 they are irregular, dispersed on its surface, and occa- 

 sionally they exhibit a slight tendency to fasciculation ; 

 and it frequently occurs that large skeleton fasciculi 

 are disposed immediately beneath the dermal surface, 

 and appear closely connected with it, but they do not 

 really form any part of the dermal organization ; the 

 tension spicula of the dermal membrane are as long, 

 and of the same form, as those of the skeleton, but not 

 nearly so stout nor are their subclavate bases so fully 

 developed. The contort bihamate, retentive spicula are 

 numerous ; they are all nearly of the same length, but 

 difler, to some extent, in the degree of their stoutness ; 

 a fully developed one measured -g-g-g inch in length and 

 its greatest diameter was j-xtz inch. The two forms 

 of inequi-anchorate spicula are very minute ; the 



