Dysidea hirciniformis, Gunther & Dallas & Carruthers & Francis, 1885

3. Dysidea hirciniformis View in CoL , n. sp.

Specimen a caulescent chaliniform bunch of solid stems, each about 4 in. in diameter, rising from a common con ­ tracted origin, dichotomously divided two or three times, and ending in pointed extremities. Consistence soft, delicate. Colour, when fresh, “ pale buff, inclining to purple at the tips,” now delicate flesh-colour generally. Surface conulated in strong relief. Pores between the conuli. Vents scattered here and there. Vertical and lateral fibre, all arenaceous. Size 5 in. long.

Hab. Alarine.

Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth 19fath.

Obs. This species in its conulated surface resembles Dysidea fragilis , but is much coarser in general structure, espe ­ cially in the flat spreading forms, where the dark rich flesh ­ colour of the sarcode is very striking, and recalls to mind the “ rosy ” tint of Spongelia avara, Sdt.