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Show 16 PROF. E. A. MINCHIN ON THE [May 2, the original of Bowerbank's fig. 7 on pi. iii. of Brit. Spong. vol. m., is at the top over the middle of the card ; the other six are m two vertical rows of three each to right and left. As I have statec elsewhere, I have e x am in e d six out of these seven specimens, and all of them, except the larger one at the top, are quite typical specimens of Leucosolenia complicata ; the large specimen alone is a true Clathrina. I give figures of its spicules (text-fig. 4, 4 a -£ f ) , a n d it is not necessary for me to describe them in detail, for it is evident from the figures that this specimen agrees with the true contorta in all respects but one, namely, in that the monaxons are wanting. In short, Bowerbank's type-specimen of " Leucosolenia contorta," or, to be more accurate, the only one of his type-specimens which does not belong to a species of prior standing, is a specimen of " Ascetta spinosa" Lendenfeld ! I have also examined two other specimens of Bowerbank's *, given by him to Canon A. M. Norman, and now in the latter gentleman's collection. The first of these was sent by Canon Norman to Haeckel, and returned by him after examination. It has the following label in Norman's handwriting:- " Leucosolenia contorta Bow. " Guernsey " (A type-specimen from Dr. Bowerbank)." Also a label in Haeckel's handwriting :- " Ascandra contorta H. " (Leucosolenia contorta Bwbk.) " Guernsey, Bowerbank." If any specimen in the world ought to have been a specimen of contorta, surely this ought, bearing, as it does, a double testimonial to character from the two founders of the species. What, then, was my astonishment, on examining the spicules, to find it a quite typical example of Leucosolenia variabilis Haeckel! I figure its spicules in text-fig. 5, 7 a-71. The only point to notice about them is a certain admixture of Sycon spicules (7 k, 71), which, as I have set forth in another place, frequently occurs in preparations of variabilis. The second specimen in Canon Norman's collection bears a label in Bowerbank's handwriting as follows :- " Leucosolenia contorta, Guernsey." According to information furnished me by Canon Norman, this particular specimen was not sent to Haeckel, but it is one of the same lot as the type sent to him, and has an equal claim to be regarded as a type. Examination of the specimen shows a mixture of Leucosolenia complicata and Clathrina coriacea (text-fig. 5, 8 «-8 m). * Bowerbank in his Monograph mentions twenty-eight specimens of contorta, but othere* aCCeSS nUle 0t m' 1 d° I10t kl'0W What hilS become of the |