Holopsamma turbo, Gunther & Dallas & Carruthers & Francis, 1885

5. Holopsamma turbo , n. sp.

Turbinate, like a peg-top, solid; presenting a circular depression in the centre of the summit, passing into a round attenuated stem below, which terminates in a root-like expansion. Consistence soft, resilient. Colour, when fresh, “ terra-cotta red, with a coating oi grey,” now grey outside and orange within. Surface smooth, consisting of an areniferous dermis. Pores plentifully scattered all over the dermis. Vent single at the bottom of the depression in the summit. Parenchyma cancellous, areniferous, without fibre. Size of the largest specimen, for there are two, 3 ¾ in. high by 1½ x1 in. in its greatest dimensions.

Hab. Marine.

Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth 18 fath.

Obs. It is the peculiarity in shape more than anything else which characterizes this species. Mr. Wilson has compared one ofthe specimens to “ a ripe fig.” The colour of the sarcode internally is orange-yellow, like that of many specimens of H. laevis .