64 



ME. H. J. CARTER ON A COLLECTION OF 



its specific identification. "When, therefore, the name of " Poly- 

 therses" is used, it must be understood as applied to the combi- 

 nation of Hircinia and the parasite. In like manner a fourth 

 specimen is equally transformed ; but being delicate in structure, 

 although otherwise identical with the rest, presents a much more 

 compact appearance • it is lobate, about 2| inches in its longest 

 diameter horizontally, and has grown over a crab's back of about 

 half its size. 



Cacospongia, sp. 



The specimens of Cacospongia, on the other haud, which are of 

 a light yellowish fawn-colour and loose straggling structure, are 

 insignificant in size and devoid of satisfactorily distinctive specific 

 characters to determine w r hether they belong to a distinct species 

 or some aberrant growth of a Hircinia which has not attained its 

 ultimate form. They occur growing over bard objects {e. g. the 

 stems of Gorgonice, bivalve shells, &c.) in a parasitic incrusting 

 manner without any distinguishing points, like this ill-defined 

 genus generally. 



Dtsidea. 



The specimens of Dysidea, in comparison with the preceding 

 forms, are well marked, and the etymological meaning of the term, 

 viz. "ugliness" was never more misapplied; for they form the 

 most beautiful part of the collection. Of these there are nine 

 specimens : seven constitute a new species, which I propose to 

 designate ramoglomerata ; whilst the other two are varieties, which 

 I distinguish respectively as ramotubulata and granulaia. 



Dtsidea ramoglomerata, n. sp. 



Massive, sessile, convex ; composed of erect columns in juxta- 

 position, more or less branched and terminating in obtuse ends 

 which project unequally above the common level of the surface. 

 Consistence fragile. Colour light or darl brown. Surface irre- 

 gular. Pores and vents not seen in the dry state of the specimens, 

 as the sarcode, always very delicate in this genus, has contracted 

 considerably, so as to leave the skeleton almost bare. Structure 

 exquisitely reticular; fibre of the reticulation filled throughout 

 with foreign bodies of microscopic dimensions, as usual. Size of 

 specimens variable; the largest, which is hemispherical (from 

 having grown over a pebble or some globular body, probably), 

 measures about { .) inches in diameter and 3 in thickness. 



