320 L. R. CEAWSHAY. 



AXINELLIDAE, Eidlev and Dendv. 

 Raspailia hispida (Montagu). 



Specimens referred to this species occurred at Positions 3, 4 (two), 

 7, 8, 33, 38, 40, 43, 52, 53, and 80 (two). 



Depth, 40-51 fath. 



Seven other specimens were obtained at positions of which the 

 record was lost, but which probably all lay between ten and twenty 

 miles to the south-westward of the Eddystone. 



Among the numerous and often considerable difterences in external 

 form and spiculation of these several examples, there appears to be no 

 single character that may be regarded as affording safe grounds for 

 separating them. In the form and proportions of the spicules especially, 

 the extent of variation is so great, not only between one individual and 

 another but often in the same individual, that careful examination 

 has led me to include them all together as variations of tlie DidijO' 

 cylindrus hispidus of Bowerbank. A single specimen has the external 

 form on which Bowerbank founded a separate species under the name 

 of Dictijocylindrus rcdangvlus, but there is nothing in the spiculation 

 to justify its separation from several examples having the simple, 

 upright branching habit of growth throughout. Three specimens are 

 of the free form (one being the rcdanguhis type referred to), branching 

 at one or both ends, as figured by Bowerbank for D. Iiispidus, and 

 apparently referred to by Montagu. Others have a similarly slender 

 growth with few branches from their base of attachment. In another 

 specimen three branches arise almost simultaneously from a common 

 stem about 8 cm. from the base of attachment. In some others 

 the growth is much stouter, and roughly dichotomous. In most 

 cases growth extends in about the same vertical plane. "The greatest 

 length is attained in a free form of 36 cm. Four specimens are deeply 

 pigmented (with a dark ruddy brown colour, in spirit); the others 

 were, from recollection, pale or brighter yellow in life. 



The axial skeleton is somewhat loose and irregular, with a large 

 number of the spicules crossing one another at varying angles, and 

 often lying nearly or quite at right angles to the main axis. Erom it, 

 with their bases often deeply placed, spicules arise separately or in 

 indefinite groups and nearly at right angles outwards, and extend far 

 beyond the surface. Most of the latter are styli, but some strougyla 

 occur among them. They are generally very similar in size to those 

 of the axial skeleton, but often rather stouter. Sometimes their 

 points are directed inwards. At or near the surface many of them are 

 surrounded by a radiatiEg fasciculus of small slender styli of about 



