ACCOUNT OF BRITISH SPONGES. 79 



distinct stalk, which is composed of tougher ma- 

 terials, the fibres being ligneous and longitudinal. 

 An elegant variety in my cabinet, is of a pale 

 brown colour, with numerous divarications ; some 

 of these unite for an inch or more, and then se- 

 parate, and spread at their tips into four or five 

 small branches, with obtuse summits. The growth 

 of this variety differs so much from the general 

 appearance of Spongia oculata, that, were it not for 

 the stalk, similarity of texture, and the marginal 

 cells on the branches, it might have been consider- 

 ed a distinct species. The stem is destitute of 

 branches for three inches ; the branches are six 

 inches long. This, and the common sort, are found 

 on the coast of Devon. 



2. Stuposa. With round branches of tow-like 

 appearance, covered with pointed hairs. 

 Plate iii. fig. 1. — Plate iii. fig. yar. — Plate iv. var. 



Spongia stuposa. Ellis, Zooph. p. 186. — Phil. 

 Trans. 55. p. 288. t. 10. c— Gme/. p. 3822. 



What is considered as an elegant slender varie- 

 ty of this species, is beautifully white, and has 

 the branches more ascending, and more tomentose. 

 Perhaps it is the older specimens that become pal- 

 mated at the divarications, like the antlers of a 

 buck. Both these sponges may be likened to the 

 horns of deer in their soft or velvety state, and 

 one is probably the Spongia cermcornis of Pallas. 

 If hereafter these should prove to be diflferent 



