13 6 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XIX, April 1965 
occurrence: Sta. 12, 60, 92, 100, 134. 
DESCRIPTION: The six Palau specimens of 
this sponge range in habit from thin encrusta- 
tions (Sta. 134) to massive with a single stout 
branch (Sta. 12), or are ramose (Sta. 12, 60, 
92, 100) and repent. The branches of the 
ramose specimens anastomose frequently. In 
two cases the branches arise from a massive, 
spreading portion which incorporates much 
shell and sand (see also de Laubenfels, 1954: 
33). 
DIMENSIONS: The encrusting specimen is 
0.8-1. 0 mm thick, covering an area 6.5 cm X 
4.5 cm on the under surface of a Fungia . The 
ramose specimens have almost cylindrical 
branches which are up to 28 cm long and from 
0. 5-2.0 cm wide. 
COLOR: In alcohol, dark reddish-brown both 
internally and externally; the exact shade varies 
with each specimen from (RY-R 2/2-RY-R 
3/6-YR3/2— rY-R 2/2). In one specimen (Sta. 
12) the tips of the branches, both inside and 
out are light pinkish-red (rY-R 5/2). The 
color in life is described as bright green; de 
Laubenfels has recorded It as yellow (in Tbo - 
rectopsamma xana ) and yellow tinged with 
green (in Dendrilla verongiformis ) . 
FIG. 6a. Psammaplysilla purpurea (Carter). Upper left , Sta. 12; upper right, Sta. 92. Center left , Dendrilla 
verongiformis de Laubenfels, holotype. Lower left, Sta. 92; lower center, T horectopsamma xana de Laubenfels, 
holotype; lower right, Sta. 12. 
