Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 1.djvu/378

170 that two pairs or all three pairs of spines become different; very rarely, also both spines of one pair become unequal (probably only an individual abnormality). Those variations correspond to the differences between the crystalline systems. The common Cubosphærida, with three equal spine-pairs, correspond to the regular or cubic system, with three equal axes. The rarer forms (Hexastylarium, Hexaloncharium, Hexacontarium) exhibit two equal pairs and one different pair; they correspond to the quadratic system, with three perpendicular axes, two of which are equal, the third unequal. Still more rare are those forms (Hexastylidium, Hexalonchidium), in which all three pairs of spines are different, corresponding to the three unequal axes of the rhombic crystalline system.