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THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
the type is wider at the sides than in the central portion,” so that even the aperture 
appears to be more or less variable in its characters, and in so far non-distinctive. 
Technitella melo, Norman (PL XXY. fig. 7, a. b.). 
Technitella melo, Norman, 1878, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 5, vol. L p. 280, pi. xvi. figs. 5, 6. 
Mr. Norman describes this species in the following terms : — “ Test regularly ovoid, 
broadly and evenly rounded below (aborally) ; greatest diameter below the middle ; 
above the middle sloped away to the central anterior (oral) opening. Oral opening not 
markedly extruded or tubular as in Technitella legumen, but compressed, so that the 
opening is in the form of a slit ; this slit in the type is wider at the sides than in its 
central portion. The test is formed of minute linear sponge-spicules, built carefully into 
the wall, and the interstices filled with the same sort of snow-white cement as in 
Technitella legumen. Instead, however, of the whole of the spicula being entirely built 
into the body-wall, as in the case of that species, the aboral portion is garnished with 
scattered acerate projecting spicula, the pointed ends of which are protruded considerably 
from the body- wall, and are invariably directed backwards. Length, 1'4 mm., breadth, 
1 mm.” (xgth inch by -^-th inch). 
Some portions of the above are descriptive of a specimen rather than of the species, 
and reference to the figure (PI. XXY. fig. 7), which represents a fairly good example, will 
show at least that considerable margin must be allowed in many of the characters 
laid down by the author. The form in this case is a nearly symmetrical oval, the upper 
and lower portions tapering equally ; the surface has but few projecting spicula, and the 
aperture is a small rounded perforation. 
The record of the distribution of Technitella melo is limited to two localities. The 
figured specimen is from one of the Challenger dredgings in the South Atlantic, — Station 
344, off Ascension Island, 420 fathoms ; and those described by Mr. Norman were from 
the North Atlantic, south of the Rockall Bank, 1215 fathoms. 
lechnitella legumen, Norman (PI. XXY. figs. 8-12). 
Technitella legumen, Norman, 1878, Ann. and Mag. Nat Hist., ser. 5, vol. i. p. 279, pi. xvi. 
figs. 3, 4. 
Test free, elongate-oval or subcylindrical, commonly bent or otherwise asymmetrical ; 
superior extremity rounded or truncate, often surmounted by a short, wide, tubular neck 
or collar, bearing the aperture ; inferior extremity round, or more or less tapering and 
pointed. Aperture a simple round orifice. Colour white or light grey, except when the 
test is coated with sand. Length, J^th inch (2 '5 mm.). 
