448 JANE STEPHENS : ATLANTIC SPONGES 



very minute to usually 0'035 mm. in length, but sometimes reaching a length 

 of 0'055 mm. 



In two or three specimens the styli are slightly longer than usual. They reach 

 a length of 0'27 mm. or 0'3 mm., with a maximum diameter of 0'013 mm. The 

 anchorse have a maximum length of 0'035 mm. in several of the sponges. The styli 

 are often quite smooth, but for the most part they are very slightly spined. The 

 spines are mostly on the head of the spicule, but sometimes a few are to be found 

 along the shaft. In one specimen only, the smallest in the collection, are the styli, 

 which reach a maximum length of 0'22 mm., fairly well spined. In the largest 

 specimen the styli, here as much as 0'3 mm. in length, all seem perfectly smooth. 

 The spiculation of these two specimens at first sight appears to be very distinct 

 owing to the difference in size and in amount of spinulation of the styli, but these 

 two extremes are connected by every possible variation in length and spinulation 

 of the styli in the remaining specimens. 



The styli very rarely have their points rounded off as shown in plate v, 



fig- 21 (1). 



A specimen of Myxilla simplex is shown on PI. XXXIX, fig. 1, with a specimen of 

 Homceodictya multiformis n. sp. growing on it. A small specimen of the same species 

 is indicated on PL XXXIX, fig. 4 c, growing on Homceodictya compressa (Esper). 



Tedania scotise n. sp. (Plate XXXVIII, fig. 3 ; Plate XL, fig. 7.) 



Station 483. Entrance to Saldanha Bay, 25 fathoms. 21st May 1904. 



Five specimens are in the collection. They are, with the exception of one speci- 

 men which is rather compressed, rounded, cushion-like sponges. The largest is 

 75 mm. by 57 mm. in diameter and 37 mm. in thickness. It is penetrated by numerous 

 hydroid stems. Two of the specimens are small and incomplete. They measure 

 about 10 mm. in length and are growing at the base of hydroid colonies. The 

 surface is rubbed in places, but where it is uninjured it is even, and under the lens 

 it is seen to be minutely hispid. The dermis is rather thick. The oscula are 

 scattered ; they are small, scarcely reaching 1 mm. in diameter. The pores could not 

 be made out. The consistence is firm and very slightly compressible. 



The colour in spirit is pale yellowish grey. 



The main skeleton is an irregular reticulation of rather closely arranged spicules. 

 The principal fibres are broad tracts of styli running upwards through the sponge, 

 with single styli, or bundles of two or three styli, at right angles to them, or lying quite 

 irregularly. The skeleton is, on the whole, rather confused. A considerable amount 

 of spongin is present. It is especially noticeable connecting the bases of the styli. 



The dermal skeleton consists of closely packed tylota lying horizontally, or more 

 or less obliquely to the surface of the sponge. Some of the obliquely lying tylota 

 project slightly from the surface. 



