170 THE SPONGES OF THE WEST-CENTRAL PACIFIC 



may eventually be placed in another genus. The spiculation is exactly that 

 of Biemna, but the peculiar surface structure and slimy consistency are utterly 

 unlike specimens undoubtedly of the genus Biemna. The shape of the larger 

 sigmas is striking and more like that found in some sigma-containing species 

 of the Desmacidonidae than like anything else in Biemna. 



The species name is mnioeis, derived from a Greek word for moss, 

 and refers to the unusual surface of this species. 



ORDER HALICONDRINA Vosmaer (or Halichondrida*) 



FAMILY AXINELLIDAE Ridley and Dendy 

 GENUS AULETTA Schmidt 

 Auletta bia, new- 

 Text Figure No. Ill 

 Plate VIII, Figure a 



This species is here represented by the following: 

 U.S.N.M. No. 23023, My No. M. 402, here designated as type, collected 

 July 30, 1949, by diver in northwest Ponape between the reef and the 

 shore. The depth was 5 meters, and the substrate was dead coral. This 

 species also was found in southwest Ponape near Kiti and may be re- 

 garded as moderately common throughout the vicinity of Ponape. 



The shape is amorphous, but it has large conspicuous processes rising 

 from a basal mass. Sometimes the total height reaches 25 cm, and the di- 

 ameter as much as 40 cm. The processes are often 3 or 4 cm in diameter 

 and rise 6 or 8 cm above the main surface of the sponge. 



The color in life was whitish drab. That of the endosome is slightly 

 darker than that of the ectosome. The consistency was mediocre. 



The surface is complex tuberculate. There are many tubercles about 

 3 mm in diameter and 3 mm high. They are widely separated, and the spaces 

 between them often are greater than the diameter of the sharply marked 

 tubercles. The surfaces of these primary tubercles are in turn at least granu- 

 lar, certainly not smooth. The pores could not be seen, but the oscules were 

 very conspicuous, 2 cm or slightly more than 2 cm in diameter. These are 

 the openings at the summits or apices of the conspicuous processes. 



The ectosome is a complex reticulation with meshes of very great di- 

 versity of size and shape. It is made of tracts which contain many spicules 

 protruding from them, as well as others which are disposed in all directions. 

 There is much protoplasmic material present. The endosome is characterized 

 by coarse fibers and is more coarsely cavernous than are the ectosomal 

 structures. 



The skeleton comprises tracts or fibers which are often as much as 1 mm 

 in diameter, especially near the base of the sponge. They branch repeatedly 



* See footnote on page 4. 



