GEODIA VARIOSPICULOSA. 



09 



the fact that in var. intermedia and var. micraster the size of the dermal strongy- 

 losphacrasters is also in true proportion to the size of the sponge. 



Formerly (Tetraxonia. Tierreich, 1903, 19, ]:>. 107) I united var. clavigem 

 with the typical Geodia vai'iospicidosa, hut now, having been able to examine 

 sponges belonging to this species I think it Ijetter to keep these two sys- 

 tematically apart. In view of the above discussion on the germinal nature 

 and systematic importance of the difTerences between the two "Albatross" 

 specimens here described and between them and Thiele's sponges referred to 

 above, I establish varieties for them. Thus Geodia variospiculosa Thiele is 

 divided into four varieties : the typical Geodia variospicidosa, for which I propose 

 the name var. typica, var. clavigera Thiele, var. intermedia, and var. micraster. 



DIMENSIONS OF THE SPICULES OF GEODIA VARIOSPICULOSA THIELE. 





Var. 

 typita 



Var. 

 clavigera 



Var. 

 intermedia 



Var. 

 micra.ster 



Large choanosomal amphioxcs 



length mm. 



over 2 



1-1.1 



2.5-3.1 



2 . 3-3 . 9 



maximum 

 thickness /t 



nearly 

 20 



26*' 



42-50 



25-42 



Large choanosomal tylostylcs 

 (styles) 



length mm. 









1.35 



diameter of 

 tyle (rounded 

 end) /( 







30-70 



46-62 



thickness of 

 shaft n 







25-35 



40-50 



Large dermal tylostyles 



length mm. 



absent 



1.6 



absent 



absent 



diameter of 

 tyle n 



18* 



thickness of 

 shaft fi 



11* 



Minute dermal styles 



length /t 



200 





200-310 



210-320 



maximum 

 thickness p. 



4 





3.5-7 



3-7 



thickness of 

 rounded cnil /( 







1.2-5 



1-3.5 



' The dimensions marked * are taken from Thiele's figures. 



