Page:Scientific results HMS Challenger vol 18 part 2.djvu/725

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Definition.—External shell a complex framework, forming an outer spongy envelope around the inner primary shell.

4. Oroplegma spongiosum, n. sp. (Pl. 107, fig. 3).

Radial spines stout, cylindrical, spinulate, slightly curved, three to five times as broad as the inner rough bars. External shell with pyramidal elevations, forming a loose spongy framework, the irregular polygonal meshes of which are two to five times as broad as those of the enclosed internal shell; the thickness of the spongy envelope equals about half the radius of the inner shell. External free prolongations of the radial spines about equal to the radius.

Dimensions.—Diameter of the inner sphere 2 to 2.5, of the outer 3 to 3.5; length of the free radial spines 0.5 to 2.0, breadth 0.1.

Habitat.—North Pacific, Station 241, depth 2300 fathoms.

5. Oroplegma giganteum, n. sp. (Pl. 107, fig. 2).

Radial spines slender, cylindrical, spinulate, irregularly curved, about twice as broad as the spinulate tubular bars of the network (fig. 2). External shell an irregular, loose, spongy framework, the polygonal meshes of which are three to six times as broad as the rounded irregular meshes of the inner shell; the thickness of the spongy envelope about equals the radius of the inner shell. External free prolongation of the radial spines irregularly branched.

Dimensions.—Diameter of the inner sphere 3.2 to 3.5, of the outer 5.4 to 6.6; length of the free spines 1.4 to 1.5, breadth 0.03.

Habitat.—Tropical Atlantic, Station 347, depth 2250 fathoms.

Definition.— with a large spherical (or sometimes polyhedral), very delicate shell, which is composed of solid, very thin and long threads. Nodal points of the arachnoidal network without astral septa. Meshes large, triangular. Surface of the shell usually armed with radial spines and often studded with pyramidal elevations. No peculiar mouth in the shell. Central capsule tripylean, in the centre of the shell.

The family comprises a rather large number of common and widely distributed, which in respect of the special form and differentiation of the shell exhibit the greatest similarity to the common Aulosphærida, but differ essentially from them in the peculiar structure of the network. This is not composed of stout hollow cylindrical tubes, but of solid, very thin threads; and these fine arachnoidal