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404 COLLECTIONS FKOM MELANESIA.
The maximum lateral extent of the largest of the specimens
appears to have been about 270 millim. (1 0 | inches), another
measures 250 millim. (10 inches) across the branches, while in d ividual
branches may attain a length of 90 millim. (3 i inches). In
habitus the species differs from T. folioides mainly in having the
general surface approximately even, and not asperated by projecting
points ; in tho structure of the fibre, the horny element shows a far
greater development, and the tricurvate is much stouter than in th at
species.
34. Toxochalina murata*.
Low, broad, wall-like masses, enclosing a series of vertical tubes,
5 to 8 millim. in diameter, which rise straight from near the base of
the mass, and are separated by 8 to 10 millim. of sponge-substance;
the mouths of tho tubes may project shghtly, but are rather contracted.
General surface of sponge asperated with low, sharp,
monticular elevations 3 to 7 millim. apart, 1 to 2 miUim. high, often
connected by low rid g es; surface between ridges and elevations
smooth in dry state. Texture in dry state elastic but firm ; colour
pale yellowish brown. Fibre very tough.
Main skeleton—meshes chiefly very wide, rectangular, formed by
primary and secondary fibres of approximately equal diameter ; a t
intervals a less regular network of smaller secondary fibres combined
with the straight primaries ; larger fibres '022 millim. broad, smaller
•0Ó95 to -016 millim.; primaries cored by 1 to 4 series of axially
placed acerate spicules, sometimes wanting ; secondaries by 1 to 2
series, often wanting altogether. Colour of fibre pale yellow-brown.
Spicules—(1) skeleton acerate, straight, smooth, tapering to very
sharp points from about two diameters from ends, size -1 by ‘005
millim.; (2) tricurvate acerate of sarcode, smooth, curves gentle,
tapering gradually to fine points, size -063 by -0016 millim.
Hah. Port Molle, Queensland, 12-20 fms.
The average greatest height of the single (dry) specimen is30_millim.
(1;| inch), the total length (from side to side) 140 millim. ( 5 | inches).
This species has very much the external habit of T. folioides, var.
vallata, but the points on the surface are less prominent than in
th a t species ; the very strongly horny character of the fibre separates
it more decidedly, so th at it is impossible to confound the two
species under the microscope. In the case of T. rohusta, mihi, the
repent habit, the solid and smooth branches, and the slighter and more
strongly spiculate fibre constitute ample means of differentiation.
35. Pacbychalina lohata, var.
? Spongia lobata, Esper, Pflanzenth. ii. p. 273, pi. xlvi.
I have thought it best to assign, with doubt, to the above species
(as a variety) a form with strong, rudely cylindrical main axis and
branches, which was apparently semidecumhent in life, and which
* From Lat. muratus, walled.
SPONGIIDA. 405
has a slightly but regularly uneven surface, the tissue covering it
being, however, almost smooth. Vents with thin everted margins
about -5 milhm. high, abundant, irregularly uniserial, 1 to 3 millim
m diameter on one (presumably the upper) side of the stem and
branches, less abundant and generally smaUer on the opposite side
Branching dichotomous, at angles of 50° to 60° ; the branches ratheè
flexuous ; branches and stem 8 to 18 millim. in diameter. Texture
in spirit firm, but flexible, tough ; colour dark dull 'grey Main
skeleton composed of tough, flexible primary fibres of closely packed
spicules, about 6- to 12-serial, running approximately at right
angles to surface (no horny uiiiting-matter visible), the fibres
nearly approximated to each other ; and of irregular and often loose
crossing secondary tracts of spicules 2 to 4 spicules broad, not strictly
at right angles to primaries. Dermal skeleton a closely-set coat of
subparallel spiculo-fibres about 8 spicules broad. Sarcode dark
brownish, granular. Spicules acerate, slightly but sharply bent
tapering slightly from middle, and rather suddenly from within
about two diameters of ends, to moderately sharp points : size -2 bv
•0128 millim.
Hcd). Port Darwin, 7-12 fms. ; bottom mud and sand.
Distrihution. East-Indian seas (Esper) ?
The only specimen measures 150 millim. (6 inches) in extreme
length. The species is a t any rate distinct from Spongia arhoreseens
of Lamarck, who gives S. lohata, Esper, as a synonym of his species.
I t stands on the borderland between Pachychalina and the branched
and large-vented Penieridæ. I assign it to the former, as its fibres
are evidently formed in p art by a flexible horny material. I t differs
from the described specimens of S. lohata in having approximately
cylindrical branches and bearing some vents on both sides.
36. Pachychalina macrodactyla. ( P l a t e XL. figs. B, B';
P l a t e XLI. f ig . o.)
Spongia macrodactyla, Lamarck, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. xx. p. 457.
Guided only by the short and superficial description given by
Lamarck, and by the locality ( “ probably Indian Ocean ”) assigned
by him, I refer to his species some dry fragments of an exquisite
Pachychalina, possibly originally belonging to one specimen. I t
has some external resemblance to Spongia asparagus, Lamarck, of
which I have seen a specimen : but the branches in the latter are
cylindrical, the vents open on the level of the general surface
and the fibre-structure is th at of Chalina rather than Pachychalina.
I will proceed to supplement the original incomplete description by
a fuller one. ^
The stem and branches are flattened out, somewhat knife-like, in
most placæs, the edges being sometimes quite sharp ; the lateral
diameter is here about twice the antero-posterior one (viz. about 13
millim. at largest part of stem, 9 millim. ju st below apex of branches) ;
the Gem near the base appears to be normally cylindrical, about 6
miliim. in diameter. Branches (in present specimens) given off pin-
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