REPOET ON THE TETRACTINELLIDA. 
193 
Stryphnus mucronatus (0. Schmidt). 
Stelletta mucronata, 0. Schmidt, Spong. Kiiste v. Algier, p. 19, pi. iv. fig. 2, 1868. 
Sponge . — “ The example is about the size of a walnut.” — 0. Sch. 
Spicules. — I. Megascleres. 1. Oxea, fusiform, 2 '3 by 0’055 mm. 2. Dichotrisene, 
small, rhabdome variable in size, sometimes 0'25 by 0'02 mm., less frequently 0'382 mm. 
in length ; protocladi in examples with the shorter rhabdome 0'0275 mm. in length. 
II. Microscleres. 3. Oxyaster, actines from four to nine in number, slender, conical, 
about 0'02 mm. in length. 4. Amphiaster, axis short, rod-like, 0‘008 mm. in length, 
actines short, bacillary, strongylate, sometimes confined to the termination of the axis, 
more frequently also proceeding from the sides, the spicule then not distinguishable from 
a sanidaster; total length, 0'016 mm. 
Colour . — Puce-brown. 
Habitat. — Coast of Algiers. 
Remarks. — I received from Professor Perrier, while this Eeport was passing through 
the press, a fragment of the above sponge ; it is not only an evident Stryphnus, but 
remarkably similar to my species Stryphnus niger, from Port Jackson, though no one 
from Schmidt’s description would have guessed as much ; so altogether inadequate is this 
description that, in the event of the two species proving identical, it will be only just to 
apply the rule, that priority can only be claimed for species which can be recognised from 
their description, otherwise one might as well at once admit MS. names as sufficient ; and 
a large proportion of Schmidt’s species are nothing but MS. names, with a word or two of 
explanation by way of apology. 
Stryphnus ponderosus (Bowerbank). 
Edonema ponderosa, Bowerbank, Mon. Brit. Spong., vol. ii. p. 56, 1866; vol. iii. p. 18, pi. viii. 
figs. 8-15, 1874 ; vol. iv. p. 30, 1882. 
Stelletta aspera, Carter, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, vol. vii. p. 7, pi. iv. figs. 7-11, 1871. 
Edonema ponderosa, Carter, op. dt., ser. 5, vol. xi. p. 349, 1883. 
Sponge. — Massive, lobate, sessile ; surface smooth ; oscules dispersed ; pores (?). 
Spicules. — I. Megascleres. 1. Oxea, fusiform, 1'625 mm. (B.), 2'5 mm. (C.) long. 
2. Dichotrisene, rhabdome 0'34 mm. (B.), 0‘825 mm. (C.) long. 
II. Microscleres. 3. Ectosomal amphiaster, 0‘0075 mm. (B.), 0'0125 mm. (C.) long. 
4. Choanosomal oxyaster, 0'0075 mm. (B.), 0‘025 mm. (C.) in diameter. (B. signifies 
measurements obtained from Bowerbank’s illustrations, C. from Carter’s description. 
I have not had an opportunity of making direct measurements.) 
Colour . — Purplish-black in the fresh state ; nut-brown when dry. 
Habitat . — Guernsey (Norman), Devonshire (Carter). 
(ZOOL. CHALL. EXP. — PART LXIII. — 1887.) 
Err 25 
