149 
on the surface of the sponge; often these outgrowths are closely 
parallel with one another, and then fuse at the top. Greatest ex- 
tension up to ca. 60 mm. Surface irregular, slightly warthy, on account 
of the numerous spicula-fibres, which are lifting the dermal-membrane 
a little up, and also pierce it, and so the surface of the sponge 
Fig. 26 . Axinella verrncosa, nov. sp. a, styli; b, strongyla. - Fig. 27 . Sigmaxinella 
s ylotata, nov. sp. a, big styli: b, small styli; c. sigmata ; d, rhaphides. 
IS as set with small spicula-brushes. Long, irregular subdermal- 
cavities and canals are seen through the very thin dermal-mem¬ 
brane. Oscula, ostia? Colour light yellowish. 
Skeleton consists of typically Axinellioid spicula-fibres, so dense 
that the spicules from neighbouring fibres easily intercross one 
another; as before said, the fibres are lifting the dermal-membrane 
up into small prominences and are piercing it. 
Spicules: (fig. 26a, b) I. styli; rather stout, slightly bent, 
often rather irregularly, so that the spicule may be bent in more 
places and in various degrees; thickest about the middle, from here 
