404 Mr. H. J. Carter on Beep-sea 



4-6000tlis inch in total diameter (fig. 40, /) ; 4, elongated stel- 

 late, axis bacilliform, twisted and spined, spines or rays linear, 

 3-6000ths inch long (fig. 40,^). Zone-spicules chietly con- 

 fined to the surface, where they are disposed together con- 

 fusedly, with their arms for the most part expanded over the 

 surface and their shafts directed inwards. Body-spicule, which 

 is the staple form and dominant size, confusedly spread through- 

 out the mass, and where near the surface projecting through it 

 so as to give a horribly asperous character. Anchoring-spicule 

 much less numerous, imbedded in the general structure, or 

 projecting with its head outwards and the shaft in the sponge. 

 Flesh-spicule disposed in a mass among the foregoing, so as 

 to fill up the interstices, where No. 2 is chiefly confined to the 

 surface, the stellates being for tlie most part scanty. Size of 

 specimens averages 5 inches broad by 1 inch thick. 



Hab. Marine, frequently free, not fixed. 



Log. Atlantic Ocean, in 374 fathoms, at station 25, near 

 Cape St. Vincent. 



Obs. The fragments of this sponge, in their flat, amorphous 

 forms, respectively resemble the broken ones of a thick, coarse, 

 uneven earthenware dish with the edges rounded. Four are 

 dry and without number ; while the fifth is in a large jar 

 accompanied by fragments of Corallistes Bowerbankii, Macan- 

 drexoia azorica^ and Azorica Pfeifferoiy Oeodia 7iodastreUaj 

 Phahellia ventilabrum^ Hymeraphia verticillata, Histoderma 

 phlyctenodes^ Polytheises, D. et M. [Hircinia permeated by the 

 alga Spongiophaga cominunts), and small specimens of T/ialy- 

 sias, Mtcrociona, and Isodictya respectively. 



There is a great resemblance in general form between the 

 fragments of this sponge and those of Corallistes Bowerbankii 

 and Pachastrella abyssij as if they all originally came from 

 flat expanded masses, unless they grew out Polyporus-like by 

 marginal attachment to some submarine rock, or were cur- 

 rented about in a free state. Their confused structure of 

 densely packed spicules, too, agrees with that of the Paclias- 

 ti'ellina and Lithistina, together with the perpendicular direc- 

 tion to the flat surfaces of the short excretory canals, opening 

 chiefly on one side ; while the proportions of the zone-spicule 

 approaching, in the length of its arms and shortness of the 

 shaft, to that of the Pachastrellina causes this Stelletta very 

 much to resemble the sponges of that group. On the other 

 hand the large size of the body-spicule or acerate and the 

 presence of the anchoring-spicule ally it to the Stellettina ; 

 hence the designation ^^ pachastrelloides.'" 



The anchoring-spicule when projecting externally has its 

 head for the most part broken off, and therefore is only found 



