134 A MONOGKAPH OF THE 



continually, and pursuing an irregular undulating course 

 to the surface, where the distal terminations expand to a 

 very considerable extent. The total length of each ramulus 

 is about equal to that of eight or ten of the spicula of which 

 it is composed. The spicula of which the ramuli are 

 formed, have their apices always directed towards the sur- 

 face of the sponge. 



I received several of these sponges from my kind and 

 liberal friend Mr. Barlee, and subsequently through his 

 assistance I obtained between two and three hundred speci- 

 mens from the deep-sea fishermen at the Haaf Banks at 

 Shetland, through their agent Mr. Humphreys, and among 

 •these numerous specimens T found every imaginable variety 

 of cup- and fan-like form that can be well conceived. 



Genus — Microciona, Bowerhank. 



Section * Skeleton spicula acerate. 



1. Microciona fictitia, Bowerbank. 



Section * * Skeleton spicula acuate. 



2. Microciona Icevis, Bowerbank. 



3. — fallax, Bowerbank. 



4. — armata, Bowerbank. 



5. — spinulenta, Bowerbank. 



6. — carnosq,, Bowerbank. 



7. — ambigua, Bowerbank. 



Section * * * Skeleton spicula spinulate. 



8. Microciona atrasanguinea, Bowerbank. 



1. Microciona fictitia, Bowerbank. 



Sponge. Parasitical on zoophytes or fuci ; surface uneven. 



