PLATE LXXVII. 239 



skeleton is very like that of the dermal membrane. 

 The compacted condition of tlie fasciculi does not ex- 

 tend very far from the middle, and towards each end 

 the component spicula radiate and form brush-like 

 terminations intermingling with and crossing each 

 other, thus forming the reticular skeleton of the sponge. 

 The forms of the skeleton spicula have rather a doubtful 

 appearance, the obtuse end being frequently somewhat 

 attenuated, while the opposite extremity is rather 

 bluntly terminated. The interstitial membranes are thin 

 and pellucid. They are as abundantly furnished with 

 tension and retentive spicula as the dermal one. The 

 deutato-palmate, inequi-anchorate spicula are compara- 

 tively few in number, and the groups of the larger ones 

 of rather rare occurrence. 1 found but four of them 

 in five fragments submitted to examination ; the most 

 perfect one contained seven or eight spicida in radial 

 arrangement. 



The gemmules were few in number, but in a fine 

 state of preservation. 



