S ! !
n \
Gi
il
l l / j
s i il 5
r in i
rf:- ;
■ / tf f
f ’ i , B
l î i■ Î'tru f\ B■■ I
t e , t e
i te ■' te U
i ; :
j i ! ' .
'i’te
1 "M
iUB
Èteite I
'■ Bf i
h| l
5 i
B B iji
b U |l
. tete' ■ ' ' i
The general form, the large development of acuate spicules, and
the echinatiou by the long acuate spicules ally the species more
closely to Raspailia (Dictyocylindrus) than to Ecliinodictyum ; the
cylindrical form of the spined spicule agrees with tho latter genus ;
but the share taken hy the acuate spicule in the formation of the
fibre is conclusive as to its belonging to Raspailia.
Suhgenus S y e in g e l l a , Schmidt.
In the description, in the Spong. Kiiste Algier., at p. 10, of a species
from Algiers, named by him Raspailia syringella. Prof. Schmidt says
th a t it diverges remarkably from the type of Rasqiailia, having hut
one form of spicule (spinulate) and (in the case of one specimen) a
well-marked vent ; he does not definitely form a new genus to contain
it, but suggests th at if the two characters referred to should,
with further material, prove constant, a genus should be formed
for the species, and named Syringella. Fresh material has now
appeared, from which I describe the two following species. Although
the spicular character of Schmidt’s species is (essentially) reproduced
iu them, that of the presence of a vent is not ; therefore, although I
consider the group for which Prof. Schmidt provisionally proposed
the name Syrinc/ella to he of subgeneric value, I do not feel justified
in separating it generically from Rasqxiilia. The group may be
defined as differing from Raspailia in the absence of the spined
acuate spicule. In the ffqllowing species the skeleton-spicnle has
usually lost the head, which R. syringella retains well developed.
I t is interesting to find this subgeneric type so widely distributed.
88. Raspailia (Syringella) australiensis.
( P l a t e X L II. figs. m,m'.)
Erect, unhranched, consisting of a single, slender, cylindrical
column, tapering very gradually from about two thirds of the
height to the base on the one hand and to the rounded free
extremity on the other ; diameter at base and summit about half
th at of the thickest portion of the stem. _ Surface in spirit semi-
gelatinous in appearance under lens, and minutely pilose and velvetlike
; it is corrugated by closely set, irregularly interrupted, longitudinal
ridges. The sponge is, as a whole, tough and elastic ; the
corrugated superficial layer loose and fragile, its greatest thickness
about 1 millim. Colour in spirit dirty white. The stem is formed
hy a dense flexible rod of a dull yellow colour aud smooth surface.
Vents not perceptible to naked eye or lens. Skeleton of axis consisting
of a close network of tracts of skeleton-spicules, the tracts
mostly arranged longitudinally, and connected hy smaller tracts set
at oblique angles to them (as iu Axinella, Schmidt, hut much closer
together) ; tracts often confluent, at most only -15 millim. apart uo
soft substance is apparent uniting the spicules. Skeletou of cortical
soft layer consisting of fascicles of skeleton - spicules, radiating
horizontally from the axis, about '4 millim. apart, each about 10 to
20 spicules b ro ad ; the spicules appear to be simply imbedded in
the dense, dull yellow sarcode which forms the chief p art of the
cortex, and they project about -4 millim., diverging somewhat,
from its surface. Sarcode dull yellow, suhtransparent, no distinct
granules visible. Spicules :—( I) Skeleton acuate, long and slender,
tapering gradually to basal rounded end from about ten diameters
from base, and very gradually to the sharp point (the basal portion
is thus little more than half the maximum diameter of the spicule);
size about -7 hy -013 millim. (2) Smaller acu ate; as (1), hut size
about ’5 hy ‘OOd millim.
Hab. Port Darwin, 7 -12 fm s.; bottom sand and mud.
This fine species is represented hy two good specimens iu spirit,
of which the largest measures 160 millim. (6 f inches) in height by
4 millim. in greatest thickness. Near the base the axis is very
tough, and consists almost entirely of continuous colourless or pale
amber horny m atter and of the imbedded spicules. As the skeleton-
spicules are simply acuate, not spinulate, the distinction between this
species and R . syringella is seen to be well marked.
89. Raspailia (Syringella) clathrata.
( P l a t e XLI. f ig . F . )
Erect, branched approximately in one plane ; mode of branching
essentially dichotomous, at angles of about 45°, anastomosis frequent.
Stem rudely cylindrical, 5 millim. in greatest diameter ; branches
flattened out laterally, lateral margins sharp ; lateral diameter of
largest branches 5 millim., of terminal branches 1 to 1-5 millim. No
veuts observed. Surface, in spirit, covered with low ohsolesceut
ridges, running into each other. Texture of branches in spirit tough,
elastic ; the terminal branches compressible, the larger ones hard,
the stem almost rigid ; colour pale dirty grey.
Skeleton consisting of the skeleton-spicnle traversing longitudinally
the branches and stem, about equally distributed throughout their
thickness, and of horizontal bundles of the same radiating towards
the surface, about 3 or 4 bundles in the circumference, about 10-12
spicules broad. No distinct dermis. Sarcode pale yellow, subtransparent.
In the base the reticulum of spiculo-fibre is hacked hy some
horizontal (circular) horny fibres, amber-yellow, -9 miUim, and upwards
in thickness ; the bases of the radiating tufts and the general
reticulum of spicules is more or less sheathed in horny fibre (which
is quite pale iu this place). Spicules smooth acuate, with well-
rounded heads, tapering gradually to fine points; size about -6
hy -Oil millim. in the horizontal bundles, from *6 by -0032 to -6
hy -0095 millim. in the longitudinal series.
Hab. Thursday Island, Torres Straits, 7 -12 fms. ; bottom sand.
The specimen which furnishes the above description is 105 millim.
(4;! inches) high and 80 millim. (3-4 inches) across the broadest part.
I t is remarkable for having several small stones and shells attached
to some of the outer branches, which perhaps indicates th a t the
V.l I i ."i •
B te
tr ;
: ?
f:;'