244 



THE SPONGES OF THE WEST-CENTRAL PACIFIC 



This species is quite unique for the extreme development of the spinous 

 processes on the surface. Wilson, 1925, page 361, described a sponge as 

 Tetilla spinosa which was properly transferred to Craniella by de Laubenfels, 

 1936, page 171. There was, however, already a Craniella spinosa, of Lambe, 

 1893, page 35. Therefore, a new name is required for spinosa of Wilson. It 

 is here proposed that it be denominated Craniella wilsoni, new name. 



The word abracadabra is often used in pseudo-magic incantations and 

 seems to me appropriate in view of the bizarre appearance of this sponge. 



GENUS PARATETILLA Dendy 

 Paratetilla lipotriaena, new 



Text Figure No. 168 



This species is here represented by the following : 

 U.S.N.M. No. 23049, My No. M. 428, here designated as type, collected on 

 August 1, 1949, by diver in eastern Ponape ( Matalanim ) from a reef in 

 the lagoon near an entrance to the lagoon. The depth was 5 meters, and 

 the substrate was dead coral. 



Three subspherical specimens were found close together, each about 1 cm 

 high and a little over 1 cm in diameter. 



The color was dark gray and the consistency stiff. 



The surface would be smooth except that long spicules protrude to a 

 distance of between one and two mm. They are scattered so that they are 

 often more than 1 mm apart. The sponges in alcohol appear lipostomous. 

 Doubtless contractile openings have closed. 



There is a thin, ill-defined cortex. It may be said to be about 50 /* thick, 

 but it is difficult to measure because of its lack of sharp definition. The endo- 



Text Figure No. 168. Spicules of Paratetilla lipotriaena. A: Tetraxon, X 182. B: Brok- 

 en triaxon, X 182. C : One of the characteristically deformed spicules, X 782. 



