Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 1.djvu/412

204 verticil); by further ramification and communication of these branches the triangular net-plates arise, filling out the sides of the octahedral cortical shells. Diameter of all shells little different. The outer free parts of the six spines are arborescent, twice to three times as long as the enclosed inner parts, and bear six to eight verticils of free lateral branches, decreasing in size towards the distal end (similar to Arachnosphæra).

Dimensions.—Diameter of the six shells—(A) 0.015, (B) 0.04, (C) 0.1, (D) 0.16, (E) 0.22, (F) &c.; average distance of the concentric octahedra = 0.06; length of the radial spines 0.3 to 0.4 and more, breadth 0.02.

Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 274, surface.

Definition.— with spongy spherical or octahedral shell (with or without enclosed concentrical lattice-shells).

Definition.— with solid spongy spherical or octahedral shell, without latticed medullary shell in the centre, and with six simple radial spines of equal size.

The genus Cubosphæra may be regarded as a form of Styptosphæra, which develops six radial spines, opposite in pairs in the three dimensive axes. The solid spongy framework of the shell assumes the outer form either of a sphere, or of a regular octahedron.

1. Cubaxonium spongiosum, n. sp.

Spongy shell spherical, composed of a very dense spongy framework of nearly uniform structure; the meshes three to four times as broad as the bars; surface almost smooth. Six spines cylindrical, twice to three times as long as the diameter of the spongy sphere, about as broad as one half mesh.

Dimensions.—Diameter of the sphere 0.2, meshes 0.006 to 0.008, bars 0.002; length of the spines 0.4 to 0.5, breadth 0.004.

Habitat.—South Pacific, Station 288, surface.

2. Cubaxonium octahedrum, n. sp.

Spongy shell octahedral, composed of a loose spongy framework of nearly uniform structure; the meshes ten to twelve times as broad as the bars; surface thorny. Six spines three-sided