ventriculite

‖n. [ See Ventriculus. ] (Paleon.) Any one of numerous species of siliceous fossil sponges belonging to Ventriculites and allied genera, characteristic of the Cretaceous period. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Many of them were shaped like vases, others like mushrooms. They belong to the hexactinellids, and are allied to the Venus's basket of modern seas. [ 1913 Webster ]