Sponges of Kaneohe Bay — DE LaUBENFELS 
5 
Fig. 2. Map of the vicinity of the Hawaii Marine Laboratory at Moku O Loe, showing by number 
six locations that are referred to, and three others for future reference. 
ing sponges in all respects that are visible to 
the naked eye. Massive or branching sponges 
are easily discriminated, but such thin crusts 
as characterize the coral patches of Kaneohe 
Bay are perplexing. This locality further- 
more contains especially numerous examples 
of the sponge-mimicking ascidians. The lat- 
ter even contain spicules of the sort known 
as spherasters ( a central ball, covered with 
outward projecting, conical, spines). Quite 
a few sponges contain spicules of just this 
shape, but these are always siliceous in 
sponges, always calcareous in the ascidians. 
Some sponges have calcareous spicules, but 
these are never spherasters. 
A probable identification of the commoner 
sponges of Kaneohe Bay and vicinity may be 
made in the field by the key which is fur- 
nished below. Positive identification can only 
be made after microscopical study. Perma- 
nent mounts to show structure should be 
sectioned and preserved in balsam; but there 
are simpler methods available if permanent 
mounts are not required. Much structure can 
be ascertained by use of a dissecting-type 
stereoscopic microscope. One may slice the 
sponge in various directions and tease out 
small bits, using such a microscope. For spi- 
cule study one may take bits of the sponge, 
some from the surface and others from the 
interior, each bit about 3 mm. in diameter, 
put a few drops of concentrated fresh sodium 
