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

;404 COLLECIIOMS FROM MELANESIA,The maximum lateral extent of the largest of the specimensappears to have been about 270 millim. (10| inches), anothermeasures 250 millira. (10 inches) across the branches, while individualbranches may attain a length of 90 millim. (3| inches). Inhabitus the species differs from T. folioides mainly in having thegeneral surface approximately even, and not asperated by projectingpoints ;in the structure of the fibre, the horny element shows a fargreater development, and the tricurvate is much stouter than in thatspecies.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 ofthe mass, and are separated by 8 to 10 millim. of sponge-substancethe mouths of the tubes may project slightly, but are rather contracted.General surface of sponge asperated with low, sharp,monticular elevations 3 to 7 millim. apart, 1 to 2 millim. high, oftenconnected by low ridges ; surface between ridges and elevationssmooth in dry state. Texture in dry state elastic but firm ; colourpale yellowish brown. Pibre very tough.Main skeleton—meshes chiefly very wide, rectangular, formed byprimary and secondary fibres of approximately equal diameter ; atintervals a less regular network of smaller secondary fibres combinedwith the straight primaries ; larger fibres '022 millim. broad, smaller•0095 to -016 millim. ;primaries cored by 1 to 4 series of axiallyplaced acerate spicules, sometimes wanting ; secondaries by 1 to 2series, often wanting altogotlier. Colour of fibre pale yellow-brown.Spicules—(1) skeleton acerate, straight, smooth, tapering to verysharp points from about two diameters from ends, size •! by "005millim. ; (2) tricurvate acerate of sarcode, smooth, curves gentle,tapering gradually to fine points, size -063 by -0016 millim.Hab. Port MoUe, Queensland, 12-20 fms.The average greatest height of the single (dry) specimen is 30 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 inthat species ; the very strongly horny character of the fibre separatesit more decidedly, so that it is imjjossible to confound the twospecies under the microscope. In the case of T. robusta, mihi, therepent habit, the solid and smooth branches, and the slighter and morestrongly spiculate fibre constitute ample means of difi'erentiation.35. Pachyclialina lobata, var.? Spongia lobata, Espcr, 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 andbranches, which was ajiparently semideciimbent in life, and which* From Lat. muratus, wallod.