44 Bulletin of Natural History Society. 
Although the spicules observed on the graphitized layers- 
often cross each other at acute angles, I have not observed such 
a constant relation of this 
kind as to lead to the sup- 
position that any of these 
sponges belong to Rhomlo- 
dictya ; nor is there such a 
frequent flabellate arrange- 
ment of spicules as to sug- 
gest Cyatliospongia. The 
arrangement of acerate spi- 
cules, as seen in Ashonema, 
is somewhat akin to that of 
the species described above, 
but the Laurentian species 
shows much wider bands of 
spicules than AsTconema. 
Besides the bands of parallel acerate spicules, groups of 
closely crowded spicules occur, that may have been the anchor- 
ing bands of some pedicellate sponge. 
On the smooth surfaces of other graphitic rocks the same 
forms of acerate sponge spicules were observed as are seen on 
those of the St. John mineral. Similar spicules occui- also on 
the surfaces of black shales of Div. \d of the St. John group at 
Musquash, N. B. 
It may seem a remarkable thing that sponge spicules should 
be so plentiful in graphite. If unchanged they would cer- 
tainly be an injurious constituent of a substance applied as a 
lubricant in the arts. I can only conjecture that the form 
is there, but not the substance. It is well known that the 
silica of sponge spicules is in a very unstable condition, and, 
therefore, very liable to chemical change. The silica of these 
spicules may have been replaced by some other mineral less 
harmful to a lubricant than that substance. Veins of quartz 
traverse the graphitic beds at St. John, in all directions. 
Systematic Position of the Sponges, Etc. 
In the northern part of the city of St. John, below the 
Palaeozoic rocks, there is an area occupied by gneisses, mica- 
