ACCOUNT OF BRITISH SPONGES. §1 



when magnified, somewhat resembles an extreme- 

 ly fine Milkpora, except that no openings or pores 

 are visible, nor is it of the same consistence. 



The size is expressed in the figure referred to, 

 as also its appearance when magnified. 



Devon coast ; rare. 



Var. ? With this, a figure is given of a white 

 tomentose tubular sponge, which is suspected to 

 be the same species in a more perfect state ; should 

 it hereafter prove so, the leading characters may 

 require revising. It is affixed to Cellmna scruposa, 

 as represented at fig. 3., highly magnified. The 

 shape is sufficient to separate it from Spongia coro^- 

 mta, which is invariably subcylindrical. 



22. Complicata. Tubular, with numerous bran- 

 ches, most complicately interwoven, and 

 frequently inosculating. 



Plate ix. fig. 2, S. 



This species is minute, of a very fine texture, 

 and, when dry, is observed to be formed of shin- 

 ing white spiculae. It is tubular throughout, and 

 the branches are subcylindric, with an opening at 

 the apex, and are frequently bifid, and sometimes 

 trifid : the principal stems originating from distinct 

 bases, throw out lateral branches that anastomose 

 with each other, and then a most complicated 

 communication is obtained throughout a large 

 cluster. When bruised and reduced to fine pow- 

 der, and the particles highly magnified, many tri- 



VOL. II, G 



