154 
doser to one end than to the other; or there tnay swell g 
on the spicule in the middle or on one of the axes. Als^ 
dimensions are of course very much varymg: from ca. 260 53 
common sizes about 10 3 . strongyla; very long and 
Lnder bent as serpentine windings, apparently to the purpose that 
te ax s which is in the first place made up of these sp.cules, 
n.ay be firm and rigid, as they are braided in one another; th.ck- 
ness almost the same allover, sometimes, however, a ''“ ® ^ 
ing distally; the rounded end may be pointed so ° “ 
transitory stages to oxea; also with regard to the bendmgs there 
are all transitory stages between the two types; I therefore hold 
i, probable, that the oxea in the peripherical skeleton. bemg by 
and by enveloped by the axis, on account of the - 
ness and length of this one, serve to build up the axis, an 
by means of apposition of new silicium-matenal, transformed m o 
serpentine strongyla. Length of strongyla of 
varying; 1 have measured lengths up to 1600 f«. Thickness th 
same as that of oxea, ca. 10 4. sigmata; regular or a h e 
contorted, ends rather sharply inwards bendmg; varymg m g 
from 25-60 ,,, sizes about 35-40 ^ by thickness of 2-3 
most common. 5 . rhaphides; very fine and delicate; th.ckest m 
the middle, from here evenly tapering towards both sides into very 
Hne points; length 40-45 thickness 1-1,6 developmenta 
forms very fine spicula-threads, are very often found. 
A few isanchorae are found with 3 teeth, evenly and strongly 
curved shafts, length ca. 40 ; so far as 1 can judge, these spic- 
ules are foreign to the sponge, and accordingly I have not recogn- 
ized them in referring the specimens in hånd to Sigmaxinella. 
Sigmaxinella florida nov. sp. 
Carnley Harbour. 45 f. Sandy clay. 6/XII.1914. 
Resembles flowers built up of ice-crystals or certain branched 
corals, very beautiful and characteristic shape; from a main axis 
radiaté in all directions a great number of branches, like those o 
a spruce, also conical in shape as on that tree. Very macerate 
so that practically only the skeleton persists. Specimen in ham 
unfortunately only a fragment, ca. 30 mm high. 
