R. PHŒNIX. — SPICULATION. 275 



level of the dermal layer. I tliink the two kmds are connected 

 by forms of intermediate shapes and sizes. 



Of specially strong development are also the dermalia which 

 lie crowded on the cuff-edge. Here they are again sword-like 

 hexactins (PI. XI, fig. 4), differing from the papillär dermalia 

 in being somewhat stronger on the average and in having the 

 distal ray slightly differently characterized. They may measure 

 in total length 3 mm. or more, of which 1 — 17^ mm. belong to 

 the distal ray. This ray may reach 100 <« in thickness at base. 

 It is tapering, though the lateral contours are not always even 

 or straight. It bears low and somewhat scaly tubercles which 

 are either confined to the end or extend over its outer half. In 

 the latter case they are notably smaller and more crowded to- 

 wards the bluntly pointed end of the ray. Paratangential rays 

 may be as long as 800 /^ ; their pointed ends rough or nearly 

 smooth. 



Both Schulze and Filhol have figured bristle-like prostalia 

 projecting to a length of several millimeters on or around the 

 cuff. I have not found the like in the specimen examined by 

 me. The said prostalia are, according to Schulze, the free distal 

 ra^^s of hexactins ('87, pi. XIII, fig. 2), which resemble some of 

 the marginal dermalia I have seen, except that they are much 

 larger. 



The gadralia are pentactins somewhat larger than the ordi- 

 nary dermalia and distributed without regularity in their arrange- 

 ment. The paratangential rays are usually unequally long in the 

 some spicule ; up to half a millimeter or more in length ; about 

 10 IX thick for the greater part of their length ; more or less 

 curved ; subtermiually somewhat swollen and rough ; end rounded. 



