298 PLATE LXXXVI. 



vary to a considerable extent in size. The smaller 

 ones are purely acuate, but the larger and longer ones 

 frequently exhibit a tendency to the fusiform shape. 

 The larger ones are often twice the length and 

 diameter of the smaller ones with which they are indis- 

 criminately mixed. 



As we are acquainted with but one specimen of this 

 beautiful little species, I have, in describing it, stated 

 that it is " furnished with one or more conical penicil- 

 late organs ;" the latter suggestion can only be verified 

 by the acquisition of other specimens hereafter. 

 Reasoning from the structure of G. jjenicillus and G. 

 Tyleri, it is not improbable that the number of these 

 organs in more fully developed specunens may be 

 greater than in the one in course of description. 



Few men have served and advanced the cause of 

 Marine Natural History more zealously and dis- 

 interestedly than my friend Mr. Henry Lee, and I 

 therefore have great pleasure in naming this interesting 

 species after him, as a small tribute of respect for 

 his scientific ardour and ability. 



Spongilla Paefitti, Bowerhanlv. 



Spongilla Meyeni, var. Parfitti, Carter. Ann. and Mag. Nat. 



Hist., 4tla ser., vol. i, p. 247. 



Plate LXXXVI. 



Sponge massive, sessile, uneven, hispid. Oscula 

 simple, dispersed, rather large. Pores conspicuous. 

 Dermal membrane pellucid, aspiculous. Skeleton. — 

 Spicula acerate of two kinds ; acerate, smooth, and the 

 same form incipiently spinous ; the two irregularly 

 mixed in the skeleton ; the latter fewer in number 

 than the former. Ovaria subglobose ; spicula birotu- 

 late, short, more or less spinous ; spines long and 

 acutely terminated ; disposed in lines radiating from 

 the centre of the ovarium ; rotulo3 nearly equal in size, 

 deeply and irregularly dentate. 



