186 THE SPONGES OF THE WEST-CENTRAL PACIFIC 



same author, 1894, page 5. In addition to the other three types of spicules, 

 this species from the North Atlantic has a curious curved microsclere, 220 fx. 

 long, which is almost a sigma, and almost a toxa. 



The name hispida is selected obviously, because of the extreme hispida- 

 tion of this sponge from Ponape. 



GENUS KATIBA, new 



This genus is here established in the family Semisuberitidae, to have as 

 genotype the species Katiba milnei. This genus is here described as having no 

 certain megascleres at all, but all its spicules so small that they are within 

 the size range of ordinary microscleres. They are entirely diactinal and ar- 

 ranged in confusion. All the specimens studied are persistently incrustations. 

 Perhaps the nearest genus is Rhaphisia, but this latter genus has normal or 

 larger than normal megascleres. The generic name selected is given in 

 consideration of Katib, the eminent native inhabitant of Ebon Atoll, capable 

 of extraordinary feats of under-water swimming and of diving, in apprecia- 

 tion of his untiring and efficient help in securing the collection upon which 

 much of the present treatise is based. 



Katiba milnei, new 



Text Figure No. 124 



This species is here represented by the following : 

 U.S.N.M. No. 22984, My No. M. 362, here designated at type, collected 



July 5, 1949, by diver Katib in the miniature lagoon at the south corner 



of the lagoon at Ebon Atoll. The depth was 2 meters, and the substrate 



was dead coral. 

 U.S.N.M. No. 22849, My No. M. 143, collected the same day and in the 



same general locality. This species appeared to be rather common in 



this portion of the Ebon Atoll lagoon. 



This sponge is incrusting and seldom as much as 3 mm thick, often less 

 than 1 mm thick. It sometimes spreads in all directions uniformly, but more 

 often it takes the shape of repent ribbons, as much as 15 cm long and 2 to 

 7 mm wide. It is exceptionally difficult to detach it from the underlying and 

 very uneven surface of the coral. 



The interior and exterior color in life was a pale, beautiful cerulean 

 blue, and the consistency was fragile and very soft. 



A 



Text Figure No. 124. Spicules of Katiba milnei, X 781. A: Oxea. B: Raphide, from 



the trichodragmas. 



