Report on the zoological collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean ...

386 COLLECTIONS FROM MELANESIA.PCacospongia poculum, Selenka, Z. wiss. Zool. xvii. p. 567, pL.xxxv.tig. 7.The specimens agree well with Esper's figure 7 and Bowerbank'sspecimens.Bab. Bird Island, N.E. Australia (from coral-reef).Distribution. N.E. Australia {B.M. coll.) ;[Melbourne {Selen7ca)?'\ ;Otaheite (Ellis).10. Carterispongia lamellosa.Spongia lamellosa, Espei-, Pflanzenth. ii. p. 270, pi. xliv.Cacospongia lamellosa, Ehlers, Espersc/i. Spong. p. 15.P Carteriospongia otahitica, Hyatt, Mem. East. Soc. ii. p. 541.Fine dry examples showing the cabbage-like growth characteristicof Hj'att's genus. Also specimens with single stem (showing, however,traces of being composed of two or more united axes) andsimply flabellar, with more or less prominent longitudinal ridges onone side, sometimes forming secondary flabellate expansions. Thespecimens, being still invested with dried sarcode, have an umberbrowncolour and a stiffness, which contrasts strongly with thevery pale colour and the flexibility of washed-out specimens.I cannot agree with Prof. Ehlers in placing this sponge, with itsclose network, under Cacospomjia, which is distinguished by theloose wide meshes formed by the fibres.Hab. Port Molle, Queensland, and '' North-east coast of Australia."Distribution. Uncertain.,11. Carterispongia fissurata.Spongia fissurata, Lamarck, Ann, Mus. Hist. Kat. xx. p. 382.Carteriospongia veruiifera, Hyatt, Mem. East. Soc. p. 543.Cabbage-like heads formed of flabelliform expansions, which foldround at their lateral extremities, which then may, or may not,unite with similar fronds which arise parallel to each other fromthe multi])le- stalked base or from the surfaces of other fronds. Thesurface of the skeleton is even, without projecting ridges, buthoneycombed with small longitudinal, coimected by short horizontal,demi-canals, between which intervene small, usually longitudinallyelongate ridges, which all lie on one level. The fibresshow very distinct lamination of the ceratinous material ; both primaryand secondary fibres are sand-cored, but the sand is oftenwanting over certain areas of the skeleton. Represented by dryspecimens.Hab. Thursday Island and Channel Ilock, Torres Straits.Distribution. " Australian seas " (Lamarck) ; Phillip's Island,probably near Melbourne (Hyatt).