FAUNA OF THE OUTER WESTERN AREA OF THE CHANNEL. 321 



400-450 ix in length by 3 /x in width. A varying number of similar 

 slender styli and oxea, of the same dimensions and larger, run longitu- 

 dinally or irregularly through the column, and especially close below 

 the surface. These are occasionally strongly curved and almost 

 sigmatoid, and often occur in pairs. The axial megasclera are extremely 

 variable in form and dimensions. They consist mainly of styli, usually 

 with strongyla and oxea intermixed in greater or lesser proportion. 



Styli often much curved, rarely (specimen from Position 40) very 

 sharply pointed, usually bluntly pointed or even rounded, leading 

 to the strongylous form. Base generally simple, often more or less 

 tylote, or, in individual spicules in certain specimens, very strongly so. 

 Dimensions, 700-1900 jj. in length and 11-22 /j. in width; averages in 

 different specimens, 1100-1700 /x in length and 14-17 m in width, 

 respectively. 



Strongyla were not observed in specimens from 38, 40, 43, and 53; scarce 

 in those from 4, 7, and 8 ; common or numerous in those from 3, 4, 33, 52, 

 77, and 80. They vary from short stout forms of 180-450 [j. in length and 

 as much as 33 ix in width to more slender forms of 800-1200 fj. in length 

 and 15-18 ij. in width. The short stumpy forms were observed only in 

 specimens from 3, 4, 52, 77, and in one of those of doubtful position, 

 and appear to be often associated with the more slender habit of 

 growth. The fact that Bowerbank does not mention the occurrence of 

 strongyla in his description of B. hispida cannot, I think, be con- 

 sidered of sufficient importance to exclude from that species specimens 

 which have them, often in large numbers. It is inconceivable that 

 Montagu's original specimens, including the familiar type he figures 

 (29, PI. Y), obtained by trawlers off the Devon coast, were distinct 

 from some specimens here considered of identically similar habit, in 

 which numerous strongyla occur. 



Oxea were not observed or scarce in specimens from 3, 4, 8, 40, 

 53, and 80 ; numerous or very numerous, often strongly curved, in 

 those from 7, 8, 33, 43, and 77. In number they sometimes nearly 

 equal or exceed that of the styli. Their dimensions range from 700 to 

 1200 fx in length and 8 to 19 // (average about 15 /x) in width. 



Acantltostyli were not observed or scarce in specimens from 3, 4, 7, 

 8, 33, 40, and 80 ; numerous or very numerous in those from 4, 38, 43, 

 52, and 53. Length, generally 85 to 100 n, occasionally reaching 140 /x. 

 Width at base (not including basal swelling when present), 5 to 7 ^t. 



Raspailia ramosa (Montagu). 



Single specimens at Positions 46, 49, 67, 77. 

 Depth, 47-52 fath. 



