ART. 4 SPONGES OF CALIFORNIA db LAUBENFELS 103 



siimably immature. These tylotes are chiefly interstitial but occur 

 here and there in the plumose tracts. The microscleres are arcuate 

 isochelas 14/a long (fig. 61, G^ H). 



Re-marks. — The probability must be considered that this is a varia- 

 tion of Plocamvia karykina, from the same locality, which has very 

 similar megascleres and architecture. P, karykina shows no signs, 

 however, of varying toward the characteristics of igzo in the respects 

 wherein the latter differs from it. P. igzo is darker red than kary- 

 kina^ its chelas are very different in shape, approaching those for 

 which Topsent (1927, p. 17) sej^arated denticuJata from Plocamia 

 into his new genus Plocammncora. P. karykina has few chelas and 

 many toxas. It seems advisable, therefore, to regard igzo, at least 

 provisionally, as a sej^arate species. ' 



The closest description to that of Plocanua igzo is that of Plo- 

 camia plena Sollas (1879, p. 44), which, however, differed in having 

 small entirely acanthose styles in addition to the spicule sorts of 

 igzo. It had toxas and isochelas that seem to have been either an- 

 chorate or arcuate (it can not be ascertained which from the figures 

 or description). It was collected from deep water off the west coast 

 of Africa. 



Family ? (MICROCIONIDAE or DESMACIDONIDAE) 

 Genus OPHLITASPONGIA Bowerbank 



OPHLITASPONGIA PENNATA (Lambe) CALIFORNIANA, new variety 



Holotype.—lj.^.'^M. No. 21475; B. M. No. 29.8.22.37. 



Type locality — Pacific Grove, Calif., intertidal, July, 1925. This 

 variety is very abundant in central California, where I have found it 

 nearer high-tide mark than any other sponge; it seems always to 

 be so placed as to avoid direct sunlight, however, shaded usually 

 by seaweed. 



Description. — Shape, encrusting. Size, up to 2.5 mm thick, spread- 

 ing laterally indefinitely. Consistency, firm, slightly spongy. Color 

 in life, scarlet ; preserved, drab. Oscules, not peculiar as seen in life, 

 but on drying or taking out of water each is seen to be in the center 

 of a stellate figure of radiating grooves that is locally very dis- 

 tinctive; the size is about 0.6 mm in diameter. Pores, minute, 

 abundant. Surface, superficially velvety. 



Ectosomal specialization, vague or lacking. Endosomal struc- 

 ture, permeated by plumose tracts cored and echinated by smooth 

 subtylostyles. At the surface these make extensive brushes or tufts. 

 The echinating spicules often make a picture strongly suggestive of 

 Esperiopsis originalis (which see, for further comparisons). As- 

 cending fibers, 60/i to 90/x in diameter. 



