EEPORT ON THE RADIOLARIA. 283 



Subgenus Spongosphceromma, Haeckel. 



Definition. — Radial spines on the surface of the spongy shell of two different 

 kinds ; large piercing main spines and small superficial by-spines. 



3. Spongosphcera helioides, Haeckel. 



Sponffosphcera helioides, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 456, Taf. xii. figs. 11-13. 



Spongy shell spherical, with numerous curved, bristle-shaped by-spines on the surface, as long 

 as the radius. Main spines ten to twenty, irregularly disposed, prismatic, with three dentated, 

 spirally contorted edges, broader towards the distal end. Outer medullary shell three times as broad 

 as the inner, with polygonal meshes (of the same size as those in the spongy framework) and fine bars. 



Dimensions. — Diameter of the spongy shell 0"2, outer medullary shell 002, inner 0'007. 



Habitat. — Mediterranean (Messina). 



4. Spongosphcera quadricitspis, n. sp. 



Spongy shell spherical, with numerous ciu-ved, bristle-shaped by-spines on the surface, half as 

 long as the radius. Main spines twenty to thirty, irregularly disposed, prismatic, with three 

 dentated, spirally contorted edges, and at the distal end four strong pyramidal divergent teeth 

 (three as terminations of the edges, the fourth as end of the spine axis). Outer medullary shell twice 

 as broad as the inner, both having circular, regular pores, twice to three times as broad as the bars. 



Dimensions.— Di&VLieiev of the spongy shell 0'3, outer medullary shell 0'04, inner O'Olo. 



Habitat. — Central Pacific, Station 272, surface. 



Genus 121. Rhizosphcera,^ Haeckel, 1860, Monatsber. d. k. preuss. Akad. d. 



Wiss. Berlin, p. 840. 



Definition. — A s t r o s p h se r i d a with two concentric latticed medullary shells, 

 connected by radial beams ; from the outer arise numerous radial spines, which at 

 equal distances are connected l)y a latticed s^iherical cortical shell, surrounded by a 

 spongy framework. 



The genus Rhizosphmra exhibits the same relation to SpongospheBra that Rhizoplegma 

 bears to Spongopila; but in the latter the latticed medullar}'' shell is simple, in the two 

 former double. The wall of the central capsule is pierced only by the radial spines 

 connecting the medullary and the cortical shells. 



1. Rhizosphcera trigonacantha, Haeckel. 



Rhizosphcera trigonacantha, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 452, Taf. xxv. figs. 1-7. 



Central cavity of the spongy cortical shell twice as broad as the diameter of the outer medullary 

 shell. Bars of all three shells of the same breadth as the thirty to fifty (or more) radial spines, 



' iJteoqjArera = Root-sphere ; fi^a, a(pa7^x. 



