87 
TAB. XLIII. 
SPONGIA pulchella. 
Spec. Char. Composed of fine reticulations, smooth 
and soft in appearance, generally compressed and 
broad. 
I first received this sponge from Ireland, brought from 
thence by Mr. Browne (who was engaged in the voyage of 
discovery to New South Wales) about the year 1800 ; and 
in 1 802 I received it from North Wales by favour of the 
Rev. Hugh Davies. It is extremely irregular as to shape, 
although sometimes approaching to a fan shape, and some- 
times rather palmate or digitate. Its fibres are delicately 
reticulate. It varies in colour, somewhat like the Spongia 
officinalis or common Sponge, from a palish brown to a 
yellowish or reddish brown. It is however readily discerned 
by its less coarse appearance. Its texture may be some- 
what more rigid. 
