92 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 272 



Gemmules recorded as being scarce in mature sponge; they are 

 spherical, ranging in diameter 360-450 n, and possess a well-developed 

 granular pneumatic layer, consisting of minute irregular air spaces; 

 gemmoscleres embedded in this coat in a single layer, their distal 

 rotules not penetrating the well-defined outer gemmular membrane; 

 foramen slightly elevated, surrounded by a minute collar, never 

 tubular. 



Distribution. — Hitherto reliably known only from the eastern 

 U.S.A., Mexico, and from Cahfornia. 



Color in life. — Not yet rehably recorded. 



Discussion. — In spite of being well-described species, both E. 

 robusta and E. suhdivisa must still be considered insufficiently known. 

 Morphometrically both these "species" are fully comparable, and 

 the peculiar structure of the spines on the gemmoscleres of the latter 

 certainly represent mere ecomorphic malformations, as displayed 

 in a great number of other spongiUids from adverse habitats. Although 

 their specific separation is thus fully unwarranted, future research 

 may demonstrate speciation trends of these two "forms" from the 

 eastern and western U.S.A., respectively, and relegate E. suhdivisa 

 to subspecific rank. 



Ephydatia facunda Weltner, 1895 



Plate 7, figubes 16-19 



Ephydatia facunda Weltner, 1895, p. 140.— Gee, 1930a, p. 98; 1931e, p. 38; 



1932c, p. 28. 

 Meyenia facunda Penney, 1960, p. 48. 

 Ephydatia ramsayi var. talaensis Weltner, 1898a, p. 331. — Gee, 1931e, p. 50; 



1932c, p. 32. 

 Meyenia ramsayi var. talaensis Penney, 1960, p. 53. 



Material. — SHdes of syntypes of E. facunda and E. r. talaensis 

 (N. Gist Gee). 



Description. — Sponge, according to previous descriptions, forming 

 cone-shaped masses on submerged timber; additional data on surface, 

 oscula, and consistency not rehably recorded. Skeleton consisting 

 of an irregular meshwork of transverse and radiating spicule fibers, 

 joined together by a small amount of spongin. 



Megascleres rather slender, slightly curved and fusiform amphioxea, 

 armed with inconspicuous spines except at their tips; length range 

 250-370 fx, width range 9-12 ju- 



Microscleres absent. 



Gemmoscleres typically birotulates of one class, but of greatly 

 varying length; their shafts are moderately stout and cylindrical, 

 usually armed with acute and prominent spines; their rotules are of 

 equal diameter and distinctly flat shape, irregularly incised in a 



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