Genus Tethya Lamarck 1814

Tethya lyncurium Lam. var. australis Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 575, Fig. 1 (1911)

The solitary holotype is now divided into merotypes comprising one slide (carrying two sections), and the remainder of the paraffin block from which the sections were cut. From Meyer Island, near Sunday Island (Kermadecs), in rock-pools, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, April 24, 1908.

Genus Toxochalina Ridley 1884

Toxochalina oliveri Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 577, Fig. 4 and Plate 27 (Fig. 2) (1911)

The solitary holotype comprises a dried specimen. Kirk's illustration of it (1911, Plate 27) is reduced to one-half natural size, a fact which is omitted from the description. The only specimen obtained was cast up in Coral Bay, Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, May 2, 1908.

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Genus Reniera Nardo 1847

Reniera reversa Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 575, Fig. 2 (1911)

The syntypes comprise a dried specimen, which is selected as the lectotype, and three microscope slides. Taken in rock-pools, Meyer Island, near Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, February 29, 1908.

Genus Chalina Grant 1861

Chalina fistulosa Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 576 Fig. 3 (1911)

The solitary holotype is a dried specimen, and three merotype slide preparations also exist. Kirk illustrated only the microscopic anatomy, and so a figure of the macroscopic appearance of the holotype is given herewith; it shows the fistular processes of the upper surface to which Kirk referred when naming the species. The only specimen taken was cast up on Denham Bay Beach, Sunday Island (Kermadecs), coll. W. R. B. Oliver, July 27, 1908.

Genus Stylohalina Kirk 1909

Stylohalina conica Kirk

H. B. Kirk Subantarctic Is. of N.Z., 539, Pl. 25 (1909)

No material has so far been located for this species, which Kirk described from Perseverance Harbour, Campbell I., between tide-marks. Brondsted (1923) considers Stylohalina to be Hymeniacidon Bwk., 1861.

Genus Clathriodendron von Ledenfeld 1888

Clathriodendron rubrum Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 580, Fig. 6 and Plate 27 (Fig. 1) (1911)

The material so far discovered is of syntype status, and comprises two paraffin blocks, together with three slides cut from these; two slides of spicules; and two other slides of hand-cut sections. Although Kirk did not designate types, the photographic ilustration on the Plate 27 cited above would normally be treated now as adequate indication of the holotype, which could easily be recognized if it still survives. As there is still a chance that the specimen may be discovered. I refrain from nominating a lectotype at present.

Cast up on Denham Bay beach, Sunday Island, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, August 29, 1908.

Genus Clathria Schmidt 1862

Clathria intermedia Kirk

H. B. Kirk Trans.N.Z.Inst., 43, 579, Fig. 5 (1911)

As only one specimen was found, the dried specimen which carries Kirk's identification is of course the holotype. As its macroscopic characters have not hitherto been illustrated, the specimen is shown in Fig. 2 of this paper. In addition, two merotype slides exist, one a spicule preparation, the other a section.

Cast up on Denham Bay beach, Sunday Island, coll. W. R. B. Oliver, July 27, 1908.

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Postscript added in proof: Since the above catalogue was prepared, an interesting discovery has been made, which now provides the material of Lamontia zona on which Kirk based his description. I stated above that the principal syntype was apparently missing, and that should it ever be found it would carry the serial number 29. During a recent overhaul of old specimens in this department a jar of sponges was found bearing, in Kirk's handwriting, the label "29. Lamontia zona K. Wellington." The find is of double interest, for not only does it provide the material which must now become the lectotype, as well as a satisfactory locality, but also the conjunction of the predicted serial number with Kirk's own handwritten identification is welcome confirmation that his serial numbering system has been correctly interpreted.