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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed ' beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmis d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 ? a 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wt ''\A^*M m Jl. -vyt^'-ii^'^ Su-rv c Notes on Sponges from the Quebec G-roup at MtTIS, AND FROM THE UtICA ShALE. By Gbobgb Jennings Hinde. Ph.D.' Through the kindness of Sir J. W. Dawson, F.E.S., I have had the opportunity of studying a series of specimens of the fossil sponges lately discovered in the Quebec group at Little Mdtis by Dj-. Harrington, and also of an example of GyathophyciLS reticulatus, Walcott, from the Utica shale formation. The Metis specimens are specially mterest- ^ These Notes, kindly communicated by Dr. Hinde, arrived after the previous paper was in type ; and are added without change. — J.W.D. I IT li 60 Canadian Record of Scietice. I 'iil! ing since they throw much fresh light on the charac- ter of the oarlient known forms of these organisms, and their discovery is tho more opportune from the fact that oar knowledge of the existing hexactinellid sponges — the group to which all, or nearly all, these fossils belong — has been vastly increased by the work of Prof F. E. Schulsie, of Berlin, on the hoxactinelled sponges dredged up by the Challenger expedition, and thus we ave now better enabled than hitherto to compare the fossil and the recent forms. Sir J. W. Dawson has already given a preliminary account of the character and bliratigraphical relations of the rock in which the sponges occur, as well as some details of the fossils themselves, and at his invitation T now add some further comments thereto. In the present specimens, the amorphous or soluble silica of which their spicular skeletons were originally composed, has entirely disappeared, and the spicules now consist of iron pyrites. This replacement by pyrites is of common occurrence, more particularly in a matrix o*" black shales; for example, the earliest known sponge, Protospongia fenes- trata, Salter, from the Cambrian rocks of South Wales, is in the same mineral condition, and in a nearly similar matrix, as the specimens from the Quebec group and the Utica shale. When thus replaced, the general outline of the larger spicules is fairly distinct, but wh-^re the spicules are minute, and in close proximity to each other, their in- dividual outlines are blurred by the tendency of the crystals of the rep' 'ing pyrites to amalgamate together so as to form a coutiuuous film of the mineral in which the finer spicular structures are quite indistinguishable. This coales- cence of the pyrites likewise makes it very difficult to de- termine whether the spicular elements of the sponge were organically soldered together into a silicious mesh, or whether they were merely held in their natui'al positions by the soit animal structures, and owe their present union to subsequent fossilization. Next to the chemical changes, we have to take into New Species of Sponges. 61 account those produced on the original structures of these sponges by what ma;y be termed the mechanical influences of fossilization. Thei-e can be no doubt that they were hollov; sacci-form or vasi-foim structures with veiy delicate walls of spicular tissue, supporting the soft animal mem- branes. They existed at the surface of the soft ooze of the sea-bottom, probably their basal portions were embedded in it, and they were furnished with elongated spicules whose extension into the mud served to anchor them in one spot. After the death of the animal, and t).e decay of the soft tissues, the delicate skeletal framework would be gradually buried in the accumulating sediments, until by their weight it became completely flattened. Under favorable circum- stances, the outline of the sponge and the natural arrange- ment of the spicular skeleton would be preserved, and this is fo. tunately the case with the specimens of Cyathophycus from the Utica shale, and to a partial extent with one of the specimens of Protospongia tetranema. More frequently, however, probably owing to currents and other causes acting at the surface ef the ooze, the skeletal framework is partially or wholly broken up, so that only small patches of the connected skeleton, oi- merely the dislocated and de- tached spicules irregularly scattered over the rock sui'face remain for determination, and this is the present condition of the majority of the specimens from the Quebec group. For some reason, probably connected with the arenaceous character of the rock in which they occur, the neaily allied sponges belonging to the Devonian genus, Dictyophyton, Hall, usually retain their outer forms complete — that is, without being compressed — but most of these sponges ex- hibit only internal casts of their spicular skeleton, so that at present we know very little of their original structures. As already mentioned, nearly all these Quebec sponges belong to the suborder of the Hexactinellidie, in which the fundamental type or elementary spicule of the skeleton consists of six equal rays, radiating from a common centre at right angles to each other, forming three equal axes. But I his typical form is subject to great modifications 62 Canadian Record of Science. through the unequal development or even suppression of one or moi-e of the individual I'ays, so that spicules with five, four, three, or merely two rays only, are frequently present, and in the same species of sponge several modified forms of spicules may be found. Now, in the compressed condition in which the Quebec sponges occur, we can, as a rule, only perceive those rays of the spicules which lie in the exposes? plane of the rock, these are generally the four transverse rays of the normal spicule, but the two raj's forming the axis at right angles to the transverse rays, are not likely to be distinguished, for one would be concealed in the matrix immediately beneath the transverse rays, whilst the other, projecting above the exposed surface, would inevitably be broken away. Consequently it is very difficult to determine positively whether the forms with four transverse rays exposed on the plane of the sponge- wall, represent the entire spicule, — in which case it would be termed cruciform, — or whether one or both of the other rays of the normal spicules were originally present. Judg- ing by the analogy of allied recent forms, it is probable that in most cases these spicules were furnished with a fifth ray at right angles to the other four. In the examples of Cyathophycus from the Utica shale, are distinct traces of a fifth ray in some of the larger spicules, and it can also be seen in a detached spicule on a slab from the Quebec group. In both recent and fossil hexactinellids, many of the elongated filiform anchoring spicules terminate distinctly in four short recurved rays, and are thus five-rayed spicules in which one ray is greatly developed ; but in other instances they have simple blunt or pointed ends, and may thus represent only one ]*ay or one axis of the normal spicule. With one doubtful exception, all the anchoring spicules present in the Quebec sponges are merely pointed at their distal ends. In recent hexactinellid sponges, in addition to the spic ules forming the regulai* framework of the skeleton, there are much smaller spicules of varied forms, imbedded in the soft tissues. These, generally known as flesh-spicules, are /' New Species of Sponges. 63 veiy seldom met with in the fossil condition, but it is not improbable that the delicate film of pyrites, seen in places on the surfaco of the Quebec sponges, may arise from the replacement ol" the flesh-spicules by this mineral. Sir J, W. Dawson has already classified and given pro- visional names to the Quebec sponges, and it will therefore be more convenient for me to refer to their generic and specific details under these names. Genus, Protospongia, Salter. ' Frotoepongia tetranema, Dawson. In the one specimen in which the outline of the sponge has been preserved, the body appears to have been elongat- ed oval, measuring about 45 mm. in length by 30 mm. in width. Very probably there was an aperture at the sum- mit, though it cannot now be distinguished. The wall of the sponge appears to have consisted — as in the other species of this genus — of a single layer of cruciform (?) spicules of various dimensions, disposed so as to form a framework with quadrate or oblong interspaces ; the rays of the larger spicules constituting the boundaries of the larger squares, and within these, secondary and smaller squares are marked out by smaller spicules. Judging by the length of the rays of the larger spicules, the larger squares would be about 6 mm. in diameter, whilst the smallest do not ex- ceed 1 mm. The rays of the individual spicules slightly overlap, and it is probable that they may have been lightly cemented by silica at the points of contact. The rays of the largei- spicules are conical, gradually tapering from the central node to the blunted extremity; whilst the rays of the smaller spicules appear to be nearly cylindrical. From the base of the sponge, four slender elongated fili- foi'm spicules project. They are approximately cylindrical, pointed at both ends, from .1 to .25 mm. in thickness, and from 50 to TO mm. in length. Their proximal ends are in- serted apparently in the basal wall only of the sponge, and they project in the same direction, though not in lateral apposition with each other. In some specimens their dis- tal ends converge and appear as if united terminally, but this may be merely due to chance overlapping. m u Canadian Record of Science. 1 This species appears to have been the prevailing form at Mdtis. Four specimens have been sent to me; in two of those the spicuhir frame-work of the body of the sponge re- tains in phicos its natural arismgement; in the other two the frameworli has been almost entirely broken up, and its constituent spicules irregularly mingled and compressed together. But in every specimen there are four anchoiing spicules occupying the same relative position to the frame- work or body-wall of the sponge, thus clearly showing that they are essential to the species. In the spicules of the body-wall only four transverse rays can be distinguished, but it is quite possible, as already mentioned, that a fifth ray may have been present. On one of the rock-slabs there is a detached spicule in which the fragmentary stump of a fifth ray can be clearly seen projecting from the central node of the transverse rays. The rays in this spicule aie unusually long, one can be traced for 30 mm. There can be no hesitation in placing this form in the genus Protosponyio, since the same arrangement of the spicular mesh-work is present in it as in the type of this genus. In no other examples of the genus, however, has the presence of anchoring spicules been recognized, owing, no doubt, to their impeifect state of preservation, and this feature may now be reckoned as one of the generic charaners. ' . There are also differences of opinion as to the character of the spicular mesh-work and the systematic pofsition of Protospongia, and fresh light on the points contested is afforded by these Quebec specimens. It has been doubted whether the body-wall of the sponge merely consisted of a single layer of spicules, or whether this layer corresponded to the dermal layej- in other sponges of this gi'oup, and, as in these, was supplemented by an inner spicular skeleton. The.evidence of the Quebec specimens favors the view that the body-wall of the sponge consisted only of a single layer of spicules. Various opinions have likewise been held as to whether the body-spicules were free, and merely held in their natural positions by the soft animal tissues, or /" New Species of Sponges. 6v whether they wore cemented together by silica at the points where their rays are in contact. Professor Sollas, in an able paper on the structure and affinities of the genus (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc, Vol. 30, p. 3()fi), asserts "that they are separate, and not united either by envelopment in a common coating or by ankylosis," whereas it has seemed to me ^hat a certain degree of organic union must have existed to have allowed even the partial preservation of the mesh-work of the body-wall in the fossil state, and I have regarded the delicate film of pyi'ites which extends over the mesh-work in many specimens, as indicating a connect- ed spicular membrane which served to hold the larger spicules in position. From the study of the Quebec speci- mens I etill think a certain f'egree of organic attachment existed wheie the spicular rays were in contact, but 1 am quite prepared (o admit that it was not of the same com- plete character as in typical Dictyonine hexactinellids. Prof. F. E. Schulze has clearly shown that a certain degree of irregular coalescence takes place in the body-spicules of undoubted Lyssakine sponges, and now that we know that Protospongia was furnished, like most of the sponges of this group, with anchoring spicules, there is good reason to re- gard this and the allied paleeozoic genera as belonging rather to the Lissakine than to Dictyonine hexactinellids. This is the position assigned to them by Carter and Sollasi. Genus Cyathophycus, Walcott. The two specimens of Cyathophycus reticulotus, Walcott, — the type species from the Utica shale* — exhibit the structural features so very clearly, that it seems desiiable to refer to the generic characters, as shown in these specimens, before referi-ing to the Mdtis specimens which have been placed in this genus. The specimens are, as already described by Sir J. W. Dawson, compressed side by side on the surface of the same "^These specimens are from the collection of the late Mr. J. S. Miller, of Ottawa, and their locality is uncertain; but the formation is determined by a Trilobite on the same slab They perfectly resemble specimens from the original locality of Walcott in New York. J.W.D. Canadian Record of Science. slab of shale; their spicules have been loplaced by pyrites precinely the same as in the Metis Hpeci mens. The sponges were evidently vusiform, gi-adually increasing in width from the base upward, their summits have not been pre- served, but with a length of 65 mm. thoy are 40 and 30 mm. in width, respectively. Owing to compression, the opposite walls are now nearly in contact, being only separ- ated by a mere Him of the shaly matrix, hardly half a millimetre in thickness. The shale has split in such a man- ner as to expose in some places the outer surface of the wall, and in others, the inner surface of the opposite wall. The wall is very delicate, and consists of quadrate or ob- long areas formed by slender longitudinal and transverse strimds or fibers, of which the former aie the more prom- inent. As in Protospongia, the quadrate areas are formed by the four transverse rays of cruciform, or five rayed spic- ules, but these are disposed so that their j-ays overlap each other, and thus form fascicles of closely opposed pai-ailel rays. The spicules in the transverse strands of the wall are less thickly grouped together, and even in some of the larger squares they may be arranged singly, whilst the smaller squares are generally bounded by single spicules only. The longitudinal strands principally consist of cruciform (?) spicules, but it is possible that elongated filiform spicules may likewise be present. There are plain indications of a fifth or distal ray in many of the principal spicules of the wall, shown by a very minute knob or blunt- ed process projecting from the central node of the trans- verse rays, which may represent a partially developed v&y or the broken stump of a complete one. In some places, also, there is a continuous film of pyrites, piobably indicat- ing a membrane of very minute spicules or an agglomera- tion of flesh-spicules, now replaced by this mineral. The basal portion of these specimens is incomplete, but there are indications of an extension of the longitudinal strands of the wall downward into the a tuft of anchoring spicules. This genus is mainly distinguished from protospongia by the fascicular arrangement of the spicular rays in the prin- i New Species of Sponges. 67 cipal longitudinal and transverse fibres. The regular quad- rate ureas of the body-wall also mark it off from Plecfo- derma and Phormosella, Hinde. (See Brit. Foss. Sponges pt. i. pi. iii., figs. 1, 2 and pt. ii. p. 124-5, Pa!. Soc, 1886-7.) How far it may resemble Dictyophyton* Hall, and the other genera associated therewith by Prof. Hall [35th Report of the State Museum (1884) p. 465. pis. 18-21], it is impossible to state, for, so far as I am aware, the structural features of this genus have never been sufficiently describ- ed, and the characters assigned to the other genera are mainly those of external form, which, as regards this group of sponges, are hardly of generic importance. The structures of Cyathophycus, as shown in those speci- mens, beais a great resemblance to that of the recent genus, Holascus, Schulze, (Challenger Reports, Vol. xxi., p. 85) based on sponges dredgea from depths varying between 13Y5 and 2650 fathoms in the South Atlantic and in the Southern Ocean, There is a striking similarity in the structure of the sponge-wall in the fossil and in the original specimens described by Schulze, now in the British Mu- seum of Natural History. Cyathophycus Quebecensis, Dawson. (No. 3 of previous paper.) One of the specimens thus named is the basal portion of an apparently elongated tubular sponge, the ..all of which consists of cruciform spicules disposed in longitudinal and transverse fibres, as in the type of the genus. The speci- men is too imperfect and the spicular mesh too broken up to permit of minute discription. On other rock-fragments are fibres or strands of straight elongated spicules, either parallel with each other or irregularly scattered over the * If the spicular structure of Dictyophyton should prove similar to that of Oyathophycm, this latter named will have to be suppressed in favor of the former, which has the priority. Both these names, applied under the supposition that the organisms were plants, are alike unsuitable, and it might be advisable, as suggested by Prof. Whitfield, to reinstate Conrad's original name, Hydnoceras. [In the only species of the Dictyospongidae i vvhich I have seen struc- ture, that named by Whitfield Uph^.ttenia Dawsoni (Am. J. 68 Canadian Record of Science. surface and intermingled with detached cruciform spicules. These various forms may well have been the anchoring and body-spicules of examples of the same species, now disintegrated and compressed together. Hyalostelia Metissica, Dawson. (No. 2 of previous paper.) This species is based on detached cruciform and anchor- ing spicules, the latter somewhat more robust than those placed as C. Quebecensis. In the present fragmentary con- dition of these forms it is impossible to give a satisfactory description, and the species must be regarded as provisional until better specimens are discoTcred. Sponges of uncertain character. (Nos. 4 and 5 of pre- vious paper. On some of the slabs from Mdtis are small oval com- pressed patches, apparently consisting of small fusiform acerate spicules, sometimes parallel, at other times cross- ing each other irregularly. They do not stand out definite- ly as in the case of the hexactinellid sponge spicules, but appear to be embedded in some raembi-ane. In two in- stances, anchoring spicules, like those of Protospongia, pro- ject from the base of the mass. I do not know of any mon- actinellid sponge furnished, as these appear to have been, with long anchoring spicules. Sir J. W. Dawson has suggested a resemblance to Las>ocladia, but they do not belong to this genus. In another specimen an elongated space about 50 mm. in length by 16 in width, with well-defined margins, is covered with a thin film of pyrites, which may have I'esulted from the replacement of a mass of minute spicules, of which traces remain in some places, but no structure whatever can be recognized in it now. Sir J. W. Dawson :ms pro- viwionally named the fossil Ualichondrites. Science, Aug., 1881, and Bulletin Am. Num. Nat- Hist, Dec, 1881), tile spicules are apparently tiliform and arranged in broad longi- tudinal and tranveree bundles crossing each other, and with small, loose flesh-spicules in the meshes. They are therefore diflferent from those of Cyathophycns, or, as it should now be called, Cyatho- spongia. Hydnoceras is liable to the objection that it was intended to indicate affinity to cepbalopod shells. J. W. D.] tiv.' •■ I