Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 1.djvu/973

Rh meet together, then the characteristic lattice-shell of the Tessaraspida is perfect. Either each plate bears four crossed pores (like Tessaraspis), or a larger number of pores (four aspinal and four to eight or more coronal) like Icosaspis.

1. Phatnacantha tessaraspis, n. sp.

Spines quadrangular prismatic, with simple pyramidal apex and small basal leaf-cross. Each spine bears in the basal half a square plate, which is perforated by four square pores; margin of the plate with twelve short straight teeth.

Dimensions.—Length of the spines 0.12, breadth 0.005.

Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 265, surface.

2. Phatnacantha icosaspis, n. sp. (Pl. 130, fig. 6).

Spines quadrangular with prominent edges; prismatic in the basal half, with a broad basal leaf-cross, pyramidal in the distal half, with a simple or truncate apex. Each spine bears in the middle part a square plate, which is perforated by eight to sixteen or more square pores (four aspinal and four to eight or more coronal); margin of the plate with twenty-four to forty-eight or more short straight irregular compressed teeth.

Dimensions.—Length of the spines 0.18, breadth 0.008.

Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 273, surface.

Definition.— with numerous simple apophyses (eight to sixteen or more on each radial spine) which are arranged in four longitudinal rows opposite in pairs in the form of a cross.

The genus Pristacantha differs from all other Stauracanthida in the multiplication of the crossed apophyses (at least eight on each spine), and exhibits therefore to them the same relation as Astrolonche exhibits to the other Phractacanthida. The remarkable Astrolonchidium serratum appears intermediate between both groups.

1. Pristacantha octodon, n. sp. (Pl. 130, fig. 9).

Spines four-sided prismatic, a little broader in the middle part than at either end, with thin prominent edges. Apex truncate or pyramidal. Base pyramidal, with a small leaf-cross. From the four edges arise in the basal half (between first and second third of the length) eight slender, conical, or triangular apophyses (two on each edge).

Dimensions.—Length of the spines 0.4 to 0.6, breadth 0.02 to 0.04.

Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 271, surface.