9K OKHAMANDAL MARINE ZOOLOGY REPORT PART II 



completely overgrown by a specimen of Reniera semifibrosa. It has now, in alcohol, 

 a slightly pinkish tint, having also been originally preserved in formalin. 



These specimens differ from the Ceylon type in the less abundant development of 

 pigment. The oxea are a good deal more robust and longer, especially in R.N. XX. 4 

 and 7 ; E.N. XXXIII. 2 b being intermediate in this respect. The asters also appear 

 to be somewhat larger, though still very minute. 



Previously known Distribution. Ceylon (Dendy). 



Register Numbers and Localities. XX. 4, 7, Adatra ; XXXIII. 2 b, Dhed Mora and 

 adjacent rocky ground between Beyt and Aramra, 1 fm., 21.12.05. 



3. Asteropus simplex (Carter). 



Stellettinopsis simplex Carter [1879, 1886]. 

 Asteropus simplex Sollas [1888]. 

 Asteropus haeckeli Dendy [1905]. 

 Asteropus simplex Hentschel [1909]. 

 Asteropus simplex Dendy, [1916]. 



This species is evidently an " epipolasid " form from which the trisenes have 

 completely disappeared. It was first described by Carter from Fremantle, Australia, 

 and in the same paper that author also recorded it from Hayti. He subsequently 

 recorded it again from Victoria, Australia, where it was collected by Mr. J. B. Wilson. 



The Okhamandal specimen forms a mass of sponge cementing together and filling 

 the interstices in an agglomeration of shells (chiefly Siliquaria) and other debris. It 

 is now a very light pinkish-grey in colour, having been first preserved in formalin, and 

 in this respect differs from, at any rate, the Victorian and Haytian specimens, which 

 contain large, dark brown pigment-cells in the more superficial part of the sponge. It 

 also differs from Carter's Australian specimens in the more robust character of the oxea, 

 while the Haytian specimen, of which the type slide is in my possession, appears to be 

 to some extent intermediate in this respect. The spiculation of the Okhamandal 

 sponge is as follows : 



(1) Oxea ; stout, curved, fusiform, sharply pointed ; measuring about 1-7 by 

 0-07 mm. (or even more) when full-sized, but often smaller. The main skeleton is a 

 confused reticulation of these spicules. 



(2) Oxyasters ; with small centrum (if any), and rather few (up to about ten) slender 

 rays, which sometimes seem to be very slightly roughened ; total diameter about 

 0-03 mm. These spicules have only about half the diameter of those of the type as 

 given by Carter ; they also seem to be very local in their distribution, so that they may 

 easily be overlooked if only one sample is examined. 



(3) Sanidasters (the " sceptrelliform " spicule of Mr. Carter's description). 

 Extremely numerous, especially in the dermal membrane ; about 0'02 mm. long, with 

 slender axis and rather few, moderately long, irregularly arranged, slender spines. 



