Notes on the Spongillae of Buffalo. 



BY HENRY MILLS. 



The presence of sponge spicules in most diatomaceous deposits 

 has led to the conclusion that sponges themselves may be looked 

 for in all perennial, running streams, brooks or lakes. Facts of 

 almost daily occurrence prove this conclusion to be correct, for 

 whenever intelligent search has been made at the right season, the 

 search has not been in vain. Among the first objects found in the 

 microscopic examination of water from Niagara River were these 

 transparent, pointed, slightly curved bodies, which the experienced 

 microscopist recognizes as proof of the near presence of sponge- 

 In October of 1879, Mr. D. S. Kellicott found the first specimen, on 

 the pier at Black Rock, near Squaw Island. Subsequently three 

 other species have been found by him and myself. One of them, 

 we think, is new to science. All were named numerically, in the 

 order found, till they could be identified. 



No. 1. This most abundant species has been identified as 

 Spongilla asperima, Dawson. Sponge generally sessile, encrusting; 

 thin; surface undulated. Oscula rather large, scattered; Skeleton 

 spiculse fusifomi-acerate, slightly arcuate, stout, spined with the 

 exception of the extreme apices; length 0.01 to 0.009 m - These are 

 mixed with a few more slender. Ovarian capsule or statoblast 

 subglobose; dia. nearly 0.02 in. Spiculse birotulate short; rotulae 

 equal in size, flat, very deeply divided, 0.0005 to °-°o°7 in,, equal to 

 or greater than the length of the shaft; radii not acute; shaft with 

 a distinct boss at each end. 



No. 2, Carterella tubisperma. The specimens of this variety 

 found previous to the present season (1881) were so small and 

 fragmentary that but a poor idea of its character and growth is 

 given in my presentation of it, in a paper read before the Buffalo 

 Microscopic Club in April, 1880. During October of this year 

 I found it in large pieces, attached to river weeds, under and upon 

 rocks and stones and pieces of wood. In one or two instances I 



BUF. BLX. NAT. SCI. (8) JAN., 1882. 



