INTRODUCTION. 



Methods op Examination. 



Considering the peculiar organisation of the Deep-sea Keratosa, and the fact that 

 some distinguished spongiologists had denied their sponge-nature, I was, of course, 

 obliged to employ all possible methods of examination, in order to show their sponge- 

 organisation as clearly as possible. A great number of microtomical sections through 

 the different parts of the sponges were mounted, and stained with carmine, 

 hgematoxylin, methyl-green, and other colouring matters of modern histology. The 

 sponges were besides examined in the dry and the wet state, in glycerine and Canada- 

 balsam, treated with alkalies, mineral acids, &c. Employing these different methods, it 

 has been possible to show conclusively the presence of a true sponge-skeleton in the 

 majority of the Deep-sea Keratosa, as in the two families of the large-sized Stannomidae 

 and Spongelidse (Pis. I.-VI.). The results of this examination were different in two 

 other families, the Psamminidse (PI. VII.) and the Ammoconidse (PI. VIII.) ; these 

 produce no sponge-skeleton, and are therefore, strictly speaking, not true Keratosa 

 (in the proper sense of the term), but skeletonless Malthosa (or Myxospongise). 



The most important part of the sponge-organism — as is well known — -is the aqui- 

 ferous canal- system with its characteristic dermal pores (Porifera). Special care, there- 

 fore, was taken to recognise its structure in the Deep-sea Keratosa as fully and exactly 

 as possible. But, unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish this part of my task so 

 satisfactorily as could be desired, for three reasons : first, the insufficient state of preserva- 

 tion ; second, the enormous mass of xenophya or of foreign bodies, which makes up 

 the greatest portion of all these sponges, covering and hiding the finer structures ; 

 third, the peculiar symbiosis with Hydroids, the reticular hydrorhiza of which traverses 

 the whole body in the majority of the Deep-sea Keratosa. 



The state of preservation, as well of the Deep-sea Keratosa themselves as of the 

 symbiotic Hydroids connected with them, was in all the specimens of the Challenger 

 collection very insufficient, though probably they were put in strong alcohol soon after 

 capture. No doubt the principal cause of this is the sudden change of conditions 

 (temperature, pressure, &c.) by which these delicate organisms are injured in the most 



