242 PEECY SLADEN TRUST EXPEDITION 



8. Ecionemia carteri Dendy. 



Ecionema carteri Dendy [1905]. 



This species is represented in the collection by a number of specimens, varying in 

 shape from almost spherical to irregularly massive, and in colour from light to dark brown. 

 They agree very closely with the Ceylon form and I need add nothing to my original 

 description except the statement that granular brown pigment cells occur in very varying 

 numbers in the outer parts of the sponge, both in the Ceylon and in the "Sealark" 

 specimens. 



Previously known Distribution. Ceylon (Dendy). 



Register Nos., Localities, &c. lii. 3, 6, Coetivy ; Lxxi. 2, Amirante, 17.10.05, E. 21, 

 30 fathoms; lxxviti. 18, Cargados Carajos, 28.3.05, B. 2, 30 fathoms. 



9. Ecionemia laviniensis Dendy. 

 (Plate 44, fig. 6 ; Plate 46, fig. 5.) 



Ecionema laviniensis Dendy [1905]. 



There is a single specimen (Plate 44, fig. 6) of this species in the collection, con- 

 siderably larger than the type ; irregularly massive, potato-like, in form, and measuring 

 46 mm. in longer diameter. The surface is marked here and there by very irregular, 

 strongly hispid grooves, some of which contain openings which may be vents. Elsewhere 

 the surface is rather uneven, granular and minutely porous. Only a small quantity of 

 calcareous debris is attached to the surface. The texture is hard, incompressible. The 

 colour in spirit is light purplish brown. 



In spiculation this specimen agrees closely with the type, but the cladi of the 

 dichotrisenes (Plate 46, figs. 5 a, 5 a') are stouter, while the microstrongyla (fig. 5 g) appear 

 on an average to be somewhat smaller. Minute chiasters with stout cylindrical rays 

 (fig. 5 d) and small, slender-rayed oxyasters (fig. 5 e) are both present, together with 

 intermediate forms (figs. 5 e, 5f). . 



Previously knoion Distribution. Ceylon (Dendy). 



Register No., Locality, &c. xi. 2, Saya de Malha, 7.9.05, C. 19, 29 fathoms. 



Genus Aurora SoUas [1888]. 



Stellettidse in which the principal microscleres are large spherasters (or sterro- 

 spherasters), accumulated especially in a cortical layer. 



This genus was proposed by Sollas [1888] for the reception of Carter's Stelletta 

 globostellata and *S. reticulata. Lendenfeld [1903] has again merged it in Stelletta, and 

 in this respect he has been followed by Hentschel [1909], but the large spheraster (or 

 sterrospheraster) forms such a characteristic and well-defined feature, and so many species 

 are now known, that it seems to me desii^able to retain SoUas's genus. To Carter's species 

 must be added, as typical members of the genus, Hentschel's Stelletta (mrora [1909] and 

 Lsops membranacea [1909], and two new ones to be described presently under the names 



