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468 COLLECTIONS FEOM M ELA N E S IA .
genus. The first species, Suberites typus, Nardo, does not appear to
have been recognized hy authors ; the next is Alcyonium clomuncula
of Olivi, the Hymeniacidon suberea of Bowerhank, the spiculation of
which consists of a simple spinulate. Even if we include in the genus
the third species, Suberites ficus, Nardo (probably the Hymeniacidon
ficus of Bowerbank), which possesses, in addition to the spinulate, a
cylindrical flesh-spicule with a central inflation, those free compact
Suberitidæ, with skeleton spinulate, vdiose flesh-spicule is a modified
stellate (“ spiuispirula,” Carter), cannotbe admitted to the same fellowship,
and Schmidt’s genus Spirasti-ella must receive all such. Besides
Spirastrella cunctatrix and vidua, Schmidt, Hymeniacidon angulata,
Bowerhank, Alcyonium purpureum, Lamarck, and several other
species enumerated by Mr. Carter in his valuable “ List of Suberites ”
lately published (Ann. & Mag. N. H. 1882, ix. p. 349 and following
pages) must be included in the genus. To any one who has noticed
the practical identity in spiculation between typical Spirastrellæ and
numerous species of Vioa (e. g. johnstoni, Schmidt, and several described
by Hancock as Clionoe), it must he a matter for serious
consideration whether the boring habit and th at general arrangement
of their tissues which is expressed hy Mr. Carter by the term
Laxa, which he has applied to the group in which he places Gliona and
Vioa, are of sufficient immirtaTice to justify their being kept distinct
from their non-horing alliés, the Spirastrellæ. To me it seems very
possible that they may some day be demonstrated to possess a free
state, corresponding to Papillina suberea, Schmidt ( = Rhap7iyrus
griffithsii, Bowerhank), which Mr. Carter has found to be merely
the free condition of Vioa (Gliona) celata ; such a free state should
he carefully watched for.
98. Spirastrella vagahunda. (P late X L III. figs. e, e'.)
“ Suberites, ? sp. undescribed. Trincomalee.”* Carter, Ann. 8f Mag.
N. H. 1882, ix. p. 352.
Massive, attached hy broad base, tending to grow up into large
nodular elevations, which may hear one or more vents. General
surface slightly verrucose (in spirit), more so in large dry specimens,
smooth over and between inequalities of surface. Colour (iu dry
state) pale to dark yellowish brown, in spirit olive greenish brown.
Vents of two kinds :■—(1) At summit of the large elevations of
surface, one or more (sometimes 5 to 8) on each ; opening level with
surface ; suhoval in uncontracted state, 2 to 10 millim. in greatest
diameter, leading into wide and deep excretory canals. (2) On
general surface of sponge, usually between the lesser inequalities of
the surface, subcircular, with thickened margins, about -8 millim. in
average diameter.
In the Trincomalee specimen described by Mr. Carter tbe vents are not
placed at the apices of tbe lobes of tbe sponge, the adult spicule is scarcely
spinulate at all, and measures only ’0127 millim. in diameter, and the spini-
spirulæ appear to be scarce. For these reasons it appears desirable to distinguish
it under the name 8 . vagahunda, var. trincomaliensis.
SPON G IID A . 469
Internal structure rendered cavernous hy the wide canals of the
excretory system ; texture of internal structures moderately tough.
Internal skeleton formed of trabeeulæ and sheet-like expansions
some larger trabeeulæ formed of crossed skeleton-spicules strengthened
by dense sarcode proceed from the interior and support the
cortex ; they are from -4 to -8 millim. in diameter. A strong cortex,
about -8 millim. thick, tough, formed chiefly by the skeleton-spicules
much intercrossed, aud united by a somewhat dense, brownish, sub-
transparent sarcode (becoming less visible wheu the specimen is
dried). Spicules :— (1) Skeleton spinulate, strong, slightly curved ;
head oblong, almost oval ; shaft gradually diminishing to about two
thirds of its full diameter towards head, and tapering graduaUy to
sharp distal point ; average maximum size -6 by -02 miUim. (2)
Spiuispirular, delicate, composed of about three rather sharp bends,
with about 4 to 8 rather blunt spines, -0021 millim. long, to each
bend ; shaft of equal diameter in all parts ; average maximum size
•032 by -0016 millim. (exclusive of spines).
Hab. Thursday and West Islands, Torres Straits, 4 -7 fms. ;
bottom sand or coral.
Distrihution. Trincomalee (Carter); GaUe coast, Ceylon (coll.
Mus. Brit., ex coll. Dr. Ondaatje).
The external appearance of this fine species is more characteristic
and constant than is usual iu the Suberitidæ. Mr. Carter has
shortly described it, but without name. The largest specimen
known to me is one brought by Dr. Ondaatje, Colonial Surgeon,
from Ceylon, which measures 225 millim. by 130 millim. (9 by 5
inches), by 60 millim. (2| inches) in greatest thickness; it was
ohtained at or near low-water mark.
The species is nearly aUied to Hymeniacidon angulata of Bowerbank
(Madeira), but has a skeleton-spicule of twice the diameter of
the spinulate found in th at species.
The spicules show no striking variation in size ; the length of the
spinulate varies from "55 to -63 millim. in different specimens; its
breadth and the size of the flesh-spicule are almost constant.
Colour. This is produced by a number of globular or suhoval cells
of olive-green colour throughout, provided with a large nucleus of a
darker colour ; they measure about -0095 millim. in diameter, and
have a well-defined outline ; they appear to be confined to tho
mesoderm.
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99. Spirastrella congenera. (P late X L III. figs. d, d'.)
Massive, attached by broad base, tending to rise into pyramidal or
cylindrical lobes, each terminated by the vent. General surface
even, smooth (in dry state). Colour (in dry state) pale fawn. Vent
(in the single dry specimen) oval, 8 millim. in greatest diameter,
leading deeply into the body of the sponge, the margin level with
the general surface (in the single specimen a tongue-like process,
8 millim. high, stands at one side of it). Internal structure cavernous,
with wide spaces; texture of internal structures moderately tough.