Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 1.djvu/522

314 5. Prunulum crenatum, Haeckel.

? Haliomma crenatum, Ehrenberg, 1854, Mikrogeol., Taf. xxii. fig. 36.

Actinomma crenatum, Stöhr, 1880, Palæontogr., vol. xxvi. p. 94, Taf. iii. fig. 3.

Caryolithis crenata, Ehrenberg, 1847, Monatsber. d. k. preuss. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, p. 43.

Cortical shell thick walled, slightly rough or thorny, with small, regular, circular pores, of the same breadth as the bars; sixteen to eighteen on the half equator. Proportion of the two axes = 4 : 3. Both medullary shells ellipsoidal. (The figure of Stöhr represents exactly the fossil form, as I have observed it myself in the Caltanisetta rocks, whilst the figure of Ehrenberg is inaccurate and doubtful. The same form, somewhat variable in size and in the number of the pores, I have also observed in the Pacific ooze.)

Dimensions.—Major axis 0.14 to 0.17, minor 0.1 to 0.13; pores and bars 0.006; main axes of the medullary shells 0.09 and 0.03.

Habitat.—Fossil in the Tertiary rocks of Sicily (Grotte and Caltanisetta); living in the Central Pacific, Station 268, depth 2900 fathoms.

6. Prunulum triplex, Haeckel.

Haliomma triplex, Ehrenberg, 1854, Microgeol., Taf. xxxvB. fig. Biv., q.

Actinomma triplex, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 444.

Cortical shell thin walled, covered with numerous very thin, short, bristle-like spines. Pores small, regular, circular, of the same breadth as the bars; fourteen to sixteen on the half equator. Proportion of the two axes = 3 : 2. Both medullary shells ellipsoidal. The description of Ehrenberg—as is very often the case—is quite incongruent with his figure. From a combination of both I give here the diagnosis of a deep-sea species, which is possibly identical with it. The velvet-like covering of very short and thin bristles is peculiarly characteristic of this species.

Dimensions.—Major axis 0.1, minor 0.065; pores and bars 0.004; main axes of the medullary shells 0.04 and 0.02.

Habitat.—North Atlantic, 1800 fathoms, Ehrenberg; Station 353, depth 2965 fathoms.

Definition.—Network of the cortical shell irregular, with meshes of different form or size (usually roundish, but sometimes lobed or compound).

7. Prunulum persicum, n. sp.

Cortical shell thick walled, with smooth surface and irregular, roundish, double-contoured pores, twice to four times as broad as the bars; eight to ten on the half equator. Some of the pores are simple, often subcircular, others lobed, i.e., composed of from two to three confluent pores as in Amphisphæra pluto (Pl. 17, fig. 7). Proportion of the two axes = 3 : 2. Both medullary shells ellipsoidal (or the inner spherical).