30 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 1 1 



size of 8 cm by 6 cm by 6 cm. The surface is conulose, and the end of 

 each branch has an oscule 2.5 mm in diameter. 



There is a definite surface membrane over cavities, which is detach- 

 able. The endosome is rather plumose in structure. Ascending fibers 

 average 400 /a in diameter, and project at the surface about 3 mm. They 

 are 3 mm apart. The amount of spongin present is not large. 



The principal spicules are curved or sinuous oxeas 16 ^u, to 24 /x by 

 650 fi. Styles, bent at right angles, are also present. These are usually 16 ;« 

 by 500 fjL to 550 [x. There exist interstitially some much broken spicules 

 2 /x to 4 /A by 300 /i, plus or minus. These may be termed rhaphides. 



Holotype. — AHF no. 15. 



Type locality. — San Gabriel Bay, Espiritu Santo Island; from the 

 shore; coral. 



Distribution. — Same. 



Material examined. — 

 Sta. 634-37 Espiritu Santo Island 3- 6-37 60 m 



Remarks. — The nearest relative of this sponge seems to be Acanthella 

 stipitata Carter, which is from Australia, but this does not have the bent 

 styles. It is also globular instead of ramose and does not have the rhaphids. 

 Rhaphoxya pallida Dendy, 1897, has strongyles and trichodragmas while 

 lacking the bent styles and sinuous oxeas. It is also from Australia. 



R. typica Kallmann, the genotype, is very like R. pallida but has its 

 membrane over cavities instead of nondetachable. They are probably 

 synonomous, especially as both come from Australia. R. jnollis Thiele from 

 the west coast of South America is also close to the genotype but not to 

 the Gulf species. 



Our species is typical for Rhaphoxya in that no trichodragma are 

 found. However, it fits closely in all other respects, and trichodragmas 

 are not part of the genus description. 



This species is named in honor of M. W. de Laubenfels, friend, 

 adviser, and teacher of the author. 



Family Hymeniacidonidae de Laubenfels 



Genus ADREISSA Topsent 



Adreissa letra, new species 



Plate 53, Figs. 105, 106; Plate 54, Figs. 107, 108 



Diagnosis. — This sponge is crisp in consistency. It is about 10 cm long, 

 8 cm wide, and 2 cm thick, and is laminate. In alcohol the color is light 

 drab, almost white. The surface is smooth to the touch but irregular. 

 There are numerous openings from 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter. Pores are 



