FAUNA OF THE OUTER WESTERN AREA OF THE CHANNEL. 313 



The large oxea range from about 140 to 170 jj. in length by 5-6 /x in 

 width, as against dimensions shown by Bowerbank of about 158 /x by 4 /x. 

 With these occur numerous more slender oxea, 120-140 /x by 2 /x, and 

 also slender hair-like oxea scattered irregularly, averaging about 100 /x 

 by 1 ^ or less. 



Reniera sp. (A.). 



At Position 56, one specimen, forming a small growth on Inaclms 

 leptochiriis. 



Depth, 49 fath. 



Skeleton mostly unispicular and very similar to that of the preceding, 

 but the main skeleton spicules are longer and more slender in propor- 

 tion, ranging from 150 to 200 ^ by 4 to 5 ^. Smaller oxea and fine 

 hair-like oxea occur as in the last species. 



Reniera sp. (B.). 



At Position 6, one specimen, forming an irregular massive growth on 

 stems of Antennularia, etc. 



Depth, 42 fath. 



Skeleton almost entirely unispicular, but with the reticulation very 

 irregular. Large oxea of much the same length, 150-170 /x, as in 

 specimens referred to indistincta, but much wider, 7-8 /x, and remark- 

 ably uniform in size. Slender hair-like oxea scarce. 



Reniera pygmaea (Bowerbank). 



At Position 40, one specimen growing from dead base of Antennularia. 



Depth, 44 fath. 



The specimen forms a short bifurcated growth of about 25 mm. in 

 height, and 6 mm. in diameter of branches, arising from a narrow stem. 

 In appearance and general texture it bears a certain resemblance to a 

 small Chalina oculata, as Bowerbank remarks of specimens before him. 

 A comparatively large quantity of spongin occurs at the ends of the 

 spicules, which at times seem almost entirely invested by a thin layer 

 of it. The oxea of the main skeleton, averaging 110 by 5 /x, are 

 more slender than Bowerbank shows for injgmaca as 118 by 7 /x. A 

 number of more slender oxea occur in addition. 



Reniera densa (Bowerbank). 



At Position 1, one specimen, forming an irregular mass of dense 



texture about Hydroids. Height 25 mm. 

 Depth, 40 fath. 

 The radiating lines of the main skeleton are distinct and largely 



>'EW SERIES. — VOL. IX. XO. 3. JUNE, 1912. X 



