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

4. Holopsamma fuliginosa , n. sp.

Form of specimen massive, sessile, contracted at the base, consisting of erect compressed lobes about g in. thick, with irregular margins, more or less united together centrally or proceeding from each other proliferously. Consistence hard, coral-like. Colour dark neutral tint outside, lighter within. Surface smooth, irregularly papillated. Vents ami pores not seen, probably closed by desiccation. Structure very compact; texture small-grained. Size of largest specimen, for there are two, 8 in. high by 6 x 5 in. horizontally.

Hab. Marine.

Loc. Port Phillip Heads, South Australia. Depth?

Obs. Examined in the dry state only, as there is no spirit-preserved specimen. The remarkably stony, hard, coral-like form ami appearance of this species, together with the black colour, renders it almost unmistakable; and, although there are no vents to be seen on the surface, the internal structure is plentifully traversed by the branches of the excretory canalsystem.