278 I. IJIMA : HEXACTINELLIDA. I. 



Walteria F. E. Sch. 



So far as known at present two species make up this genus, 

 viz., W. flemmingi F. E. Sch. and W. leucharti Ij. 



The generic diagnosis would be : 



Euplectellids of saccular or tubular shape, firmly 

 attached by the expanded base; with oscula on the sides; 

 th^ surface with simple or branched processes (produced 

 by a commensal Hydroid colony). Principal parenchy- 

 malia, diactins; intermedial parenchymalia of small, 

 spinous oxyhexactins. The hexasters are: Floricomes 

 (which may be wanting) ; spherical discohexasters Avith 

 numerous terminals ending in an arched disc; onychas- 

 ters; and graphiocomes. 



The spiculation indicates the close affinity of the genus to 

 both Tœgeria and Regadrella. 



The differential characters of the two species are : 



a. Saccular, the wall consisting of a wide-meshed latticework 

 of beams. With floricome. Spherical discohexaster about 

 62 fx in diameter... W. fleinmlngl (N. of Kermadec Is.). 



b. Tubular, with numerous side-branches giving a tree-like 



form. Without floricome. Spherical discohexaster 75-00,« 

 in diameter W. leucharti (Sagami Sea). 



