BRITISH SPONGIADiE. 345 



Desmacidon, Bowerhank. 



Section * Skeleton spicmla, acerate. 



1. Desmacidon fruticosa, 



2. — Jei 



Section * * Skeleton spicula, acuate. 



3. Desmacidon Peachii, 



4. — constrictus. 



Section * * * Skeleton spicula, spinulate. 



5. Desmacidon ceffagropila. 



1. Desmacidon fruticosa, Bowerhank. 



Hamchonbeia peumcosa, Johnston. 



Sponge. Sessile, massive, and roughly latticed, or massive, 

 with large projecting cloacal fistulae. Fistular cloacae 

 very krge and deep. Oscula simple, numerous ; on 

 the surface in young specimens, or on the parietes of 

 the cloacae, when they are present. Surface hispid. 

 Pores inconspicuous. Dermal membrane pellucid, 

 spiculous J tension spicula acerate, dispersed, not 

 numerous ; retentive spicula of sarcodous surface bi- 

 hamate, simple,, and contort, variable in size, very 

 numerous ; and also bidentate equi-anchorate, large 

 and small, few in number, comparatively. Skeleton. 

 Fibre stout and numerously spiculous; spicula acerate 

 or occasionally inequi-acerate. Interstitial membranes. 



