150 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
p. 429), E. rigida Lambe from the Pacific coast of Canada (Lambe, 1893, p. 68). In many 
species of the genus the fibers consist chiefly of spicules, with comparatively little 
spongin. 
The parallelism in habitus and skeletal framework between species of Esperiopsis, 
Homeeodictya, and Pachychalina is noteworthy. Lundbeck has remarked (1905, p. 122) 
on the close parallelism between Homeodictya palmata Johnson and a species of Pachy- 
chalina. ‘The parallelism is equally close with E. obliqua. 
A similarity of another kind, involving the fundamental matter of spicule combina- 
tion, is presented by Esperiopsis species in general to Artemesina Vosm. This similarity 
is perhaps not a case of parallelism, but one due to close kinship. And in this con- 
nection it may be recalled that Topsent (1904, p. 215) described a species of Artemesina 
in which the texture of the body differs notably from that of A. suberttoides Vosmaer, 
etc., approaching that of Esperiopsis. Topsent suggests that it might be well to make 
Artemesina a subgenus of Esperiopsis, to include forms in which the body has a texture 
like that of Suberites. 
The peculiar isochelz of the Beaufort species deserve a word. They look quite 
like those of Microciona acerato-obtusa Carter, as drawn by Hentschel (1911, p. 349). 
Very small isochele, but not twisted, are recorded by Dendy (1895, p. 18) for Esperiopsis 
turbo (Carter); Dendy says they are very minute and difficult to detect. 
The occurrence of twisted chele (aniso-and iso-chele) is regarded by Vosmaer as 
evidence, over and above the embryological, in favor of the idea that the chela is derived 
from the sigma (1902, p. 9). This is at least defensible, for the twisting of the chela is 
in itself a structural feature that is sigmalike; that is, the twisted chela is intermediate, 
in respect to the shape of the spicular axis, between the sigma and the normal chela, 
although in other respects it is a perfectly differentiated chela. It, then, in some small 
measure, controverts Hentschel’s position that there are no intermediate forms between 
chela and sigma (1914, p. 158). Nevertheless, the spicule is ‘‘intermediate” in respect 
to a single point only, and this makes it very doubtful whether the point (of resem- 
blance) is really to be looked on as a case of reversion. It is perhaps a quite new 
acquisition, which happens to coincide with a phylogenetically older state. Lundbeck 
(1905, p. 6) thinks ‘‘the fact that chelze may be contort, a feature that is much more 
frequent, and may take place to a much higher degree than seems to be known by the 
authors, proves nothing at all” in respect to the phylogeny of the chela. 
Lissodendoryx Topsent (emend. Lundbeck 1905). 
Skeletal framework reticular, including sometimes well-marked fibers, or dendritic; 
spongin present more or less abundantly. Skeletal megascleres generally smooth styles, 
but sometimes spined; dermal megascleres diactinal. Microscleres isochele, never 
ancore, to which sigmata may be added. 
Lissodendoryx carolinensis Wilson. (Pl. LXI, figs. 26, 27, 28; Pl. LXVI, fig. 62a, b, c, d, e.) 
Lissodendoryx carolinensis Wilson, 1911, p. 11. 
Common in the harbor, especially on the wharf piles; best collecting places, Gallant’s Point, oyster 
cannery in Newport River, Morehead pier. 
The sponge begins as an incrustation on shells, ete. As it grows ascending lobes, frequently over- 
lapping, develop. Eventually a large amorphous mass may be produced, the body of which has been 
formed by the continued fusion of such lobes. The free surfaces of such masses continue to bear pro- 
