Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 1.djvu/553

Rh 7. Spongurus radians, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a half times as long as broad, with thorny surface, and eighty to one hundred and twenty (or more) thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines, somewhat longer than the shell. Spongy framework in the inner part very compact, in the outer part very loose, with a gradual transition between the two parts. Meshes in the central part not broader than the bars, in the superficial part ten to twenty times as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.16.

Habitat.—Mediterranean, Portofino, near Genoa, Haeckel, surface.

8. Spongurus spongechinus, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a third times as long as broad, with thorny surface, and thirty to forty thick, conical radial spines, about half as long as the shell. Spongy framework in the inner part of the shell compact, in the outer loose, with a gradual transition between the two parts. Meshes in the central part smaller than the bars, in the superficial part four to eight times as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.18, breadth 0.14.

Habitat.—North Atlantic, Station 353, surface.

Definition.— with ellipsoidal or cylindrical (sometimes three-jointed) shell of solid spongy framework, without internal cavity and without latticed medullary shell. Polar spines absent. An outer lattice-mantle is connected with the spongy shell by radial beams.

The genus Spongocore contains some widely distributed Spongurida, which are distinguished from the nearly related Spongurus by the development of a peculiar veil or mantle of delicate lattice-work, which envelops either the whole shell or only the middle part of it, and is connected with it by numerous radial beams. The distance of the simple fine lattice-lamella from the spongy shell is everywhere the same. Often the cylindrical shell is three-jointed, with two annular strictures, as also in the foregoing Spongurus. It is derived from the latter by development of the veil connecting the points of the radial spines.

Definition.—Shell without distinct annular strictures, not evidently three-jointed.