SPONGES COLLECTED IN PORTO RICO. 
399 
Schmidt (loc. cit. ) divides his Chalinojisis species into two groups, the one including solid forms 
( Pachy clialinopsis) , the other tubular forms (Siphonochalin.opsis ) . Of the latter group he had but a 
single specimen, which he mentions was 9 cm. high, with a wall 3 mm. thick, and with spicules like 
those of Clialinopsis (Agelas) . Schmidt thought it unnecessary to found a species name on such slight 
material. Schmidt’s specimen in the Museum of Comparative Zoology is essentially identical with 
mine, although the wall is thicker, color is dark brown, and the whorls of spines on the spicules are 
somewhat more distinct, the number in a whorl usually exceeding four (6 to 8, about). 
Carter (1883, p. 312) makes mention of a British Museum specimen of Agelas ( Ectyori ) which 
consists of several thick (3y in. maximum), hollow cylinders. It seems to me unnecessary at present 
to separate the tubular forms of Agelas ( Clialinopsis) from the solid forms. 
Family AXINELUD^E Ridley & Bendy. 
“Skeleton typically non-reticulate, consisting of ascending axes of fibers from which arise subsidiary 
fibers radiating to the surface. Fibers typically plumose. Megasclera chiefly styli, to which oxea and 
(or) strongyla may be added. Microsclera rarely present, never cliche.” (R. & D.) 
Genus PHAKELLIA Bowerbank (1864). 
‘ ‘ Sponge more or less flabellate or cup-shaped. Skeleton often more or less reticulate. Megasclera 
styli and often oxea. No microsclera” (R. & D.). Styli may be represented by tylostyli. 
Phakellia lobata, n. sp. 
Station ?, four specimens. 
Sponge body usually a flattened vertical lamina 5 to 7 mm. thick; wide in the larger specimens, 
narrow and even club-shaped in the smallest; narrowing below to an irregular and, in some cases at 
any rate, incrusting base. Lamina in its upper portion is split into lobes; other lobes arise through the 
excessive development of ridges on either of the flattened surfaces. The underlying flabellate char- 
acter is thus partially disguised by a frutescent appearance. The irregularity in the general shape may 
be further increased through the partial coalescence of lobes, and through the curving of the lamina 
bj- which local concavities may be produced. 
Surface smooth and in a drying sponge velvety in appearance, owing to the fine projecting spicules. 
Very few oscula to be seen; these small, 1 to 2 mm. diameter, and disposed irregularly over one of the 
flattened surfaces. Pores not visible. Dermal membrane, containing the cortical brushes of spicules, is 
thick and well marked off from the internal body. Sponge firm, the bundles of spiculo-fiber having 
a cartilage-like consistency. Color, grayish brown, the inner spiculo-fiber much darker. Height of 
largest specimen 150 mm. 
Skeleton . — Internal skeleton made up of coarse bundles which radiate upward through sponge 
body, occupying a large part of the interior. These are composed of correspondingly arranged, vaguely 
defined spiculo-fiber (tracts the spicules united by a small amount of horny matter) and scattered 
spicules, the whole forming a loose reticulum. From this internal skeleton bundles pass out to the 
surface, where they meet and mingle with closely set cortical brushes of small, diverging spicules. 
Latter project a short distance beyond the surface. 
Spicules. (1) Tylostyli, composing the cortical brushes, 200 to 300 p by 3 to 4 p, with conspicuous 
rounded heads which frequently are pointed or slightly knobbed at the apex. (2) Similar but much 
larger tylostyli, commonly 650 to 850 n by 10 to 15 p, although forms of all sizes are found, grading 
down to the small ones at the surface; composing the bundles, and also scattered freely. In the large 
tylostyli the head, which frequently exhibits a low, knob-like elevation at the apex, is not so con- 
spicuously developed as in the smaller forms. The tylostylote character of the spicules is a marked 
feature of the species. 
In its external appearance this species resembles the frutescent ( staudenartig ) forms mentioned 
but not specifically described by O. Schmidt (1880, p. 81). It is evidently closely related to P. 
flabelkda R. & D. (1887, p. 171); name of this species now changed to P. jacksoniana Dendy (1896, 
p. 236) . The brushes of surface spicules are not developed round an axial larger spicule, as in the 
latter species. 2d _ F c . B . 1900-26 
