SYMPAGELLA AXOMALA. 97 



that the fragmentary specimen, on which tlie single species of 

 Aidascus {A. johnstoni) is based, originally formed a part of 

 an inclividnal shaped somewhat like Sympagclla anomala n. sp. 

 The small rough " discohexactins " mentioned by F. E. Schulze 

 as occnrring in the parenchyma of Aidascus are evidentl}^ nothing 

 else than hexaetinose discohexasters. To them, as also to the 

 presence of the pentactinic hypogastralia or of a proximal ray to 

 the dermalia in that sponge, I can attach no more than specific 

 importance. 



The following contains all the more important differential 

 points in the characters of, and will serve as a key to, the three 

 species contained in the genns as defined by me. 



«. — Body ellipsoidal rind witli a single osculnm ; borne on ends of branches of the I'amified 

 stalk, Dermalia pentactinic pinnies; gastralia hexactinic witli very slender pinular ray. 



Without hypogastral pentactins S. mix. O. Scum. (N. Atlantic, Mediterranean) 



'»• — Body irregularly sacciform; incompletely divided into persons, each with an osculuni. 

 Dermalia and gastralia hexactinic ; both with similarly shaped pinular ray. 

 o'. — Predominant di^coliexaster with rough -surfaced terminals, each ending in a small, 



slightly arched, transverse disc which marginally runs out into recurved prongs. 



With hypogastral pentactins S. johnstoni (F. E. Sen.). (Prince Edwards Is.) 



b^. — Predominant discohexaster with nearly smootli terminals, each ending in a whorl 



of 2-6, very fine straight, forwardly and outwardly diverging branchlets (not 



recurved). Without hyp igastral pentactins ...5". anomala n. sp. (Saga mi Sea). 



SYMPAGELLA ANOMALA. X. sp. 

 Plate YIII. 



A score or more of specimens of this new species have been 

 at my disposal for study. They were all collected by Kuma 

 from depths of 430-572 m. (235-313 fms.) in the Sagami Sea. 



