Subfamily 1. Spongellipsida, Haeckel

Definition.—Spongurida with a spongy ellipsoidal or cylindrical shell, without an internal latticed medullary shell.

Genus 144. Spongellipsis, n. gen.

Definition.—Spongurida with an ellipsoidal or cylindrical spongy shell, containing an internal cavity, without a latticed medullary shell. Polar spines absent.

The genus Spongellipsis embraces those very simple Spongurida in which the ellipsoidal central capsule is enclosed in a spongy cortical shell of the same form. It corresponds, therefore, to Plegmosphæra among the Sphæroidea, to Plegmodiscus among the Discoidea, and to Spongolarcus among the Larcoidea. In some species the ellipsoidal form is prolonged and passes into a cylindrical one.

Subgenus 1. Spongellipsarium, Haeckel.

Definition.—Surface of the shell smooth or rough, without radial spines.

1. Spongellipsis lævis, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, with smooth surface, its spongy wall scarcely one-tenth as thick as the minor axis of the inner cavity. Spongy framework very compact, with small meshes, three to six times as broad as the bars. Proportion of the major axis to the minor = 3 : 2.

Dimensions.—Major axis (or length) of the shell 0.36, minor axis (or breadth) 0.24.

Habitat.—Pacific, central area, Station 265, surface.

2. Spongellipsis aspera, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, with rough surface, its spongy wall nearly half as thick as the minor axis of the inner cavity. Spongy framework very loose, with large meshes, ten to twenty times as broad as the bars. Proportion of the major axis to the minor = 4 : 3.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.18.

Habitat.—North Pacific, Station 253, surface.

3. Spongellipsis aplysina, n. sp.

Shell nearly cylindrical, with rough surface, its spongy wall about one-fourth as thick as the minor axis of the internal cavity. Spongy framework loose, with large meshes, four to eight times as broad as the bars. Proportion of both axes = 6 : 1. (Similar to a spongy cylinder of Aplysina.)

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.3, breadth 0.05.

Habitat.—North Atlantic, Station 64, surface.

Subgenus 2. Spongellipsidium, Haeckel.

Definition.—Surface of the shell covered with radial spines.

4. Spongellipsis setosa, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, covered with numerous (sixty to eighty) thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines, about half as long as the major axis. Spongy framework loose, with large meshes, ten to twenty times as broad as the bars. Minor axis of the inner cavity twice as long as the thickness of the spongy wall. Proportion of both axes = 5 : 3.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth 0.12.

Habitat.—South Atlantic, Station 325, surface.

5. Spongellipsis spinosa, n. sp.

Shell nearly cylindrical, covered with numerous thorns and thirty to forty larger conical radial spines, somewhat longer than the major axis. Spongy framework compact, with small meshes, four to eight times as broad as the bars. Minor axis of the inner cavity about six times as large as the thickness of the spongy wall. Proportion of both axes = 4 : 1.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.06.

Habitat.—South Pacific, Station 300, surface.

Genus 145. Spongurus, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 465.

Definition.—Spongurida with ellipsoidal or cylindrical (sometimes three-jointed) shell, of solid spongy framework, without internal cavity and without latticed medullary shell. Polar spines and outer lattice-mantle absent.

The genus Spongurus was founded by me in 1862 for the common cosmopolitan Spongurus cylindricus, a massive spongy cylinder with radial spines. I enlarge here the conception of the genus, in receiving also ellipsoidal, massive spongy Prunoidea, with or without radial spines. Sometimes the cylindrical shell is more or less distinctly three-jointed, with two annular strictures, as also in the following and nearly allied genus.

Subgenus 1. Spongurantha, Haeckel.

Definition.—Spongy framework everywhere of the same structure; surface smooth or rough, but without radial spines.

1. Spongurus stuparius, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a half times as long as broad, with nearly smooth surface. Spongy framework everywhere of equal structure, with small meshes, four to six times as broad as the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell (or major axis) 0.2, breadth of it (or minor axis) 0.14.

Habitat.—South Pacific, Station 295, depth 1500 fathoms.

2. Spongurus stypticus, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, twice as long as broad, with thorny surface. Spongy framework everywhere of equal structure, with large meshes, ten to twenty times as broad as the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.3, breadth 0.15.

Habitat.—Pacific, central area, Station 274, depth 2750 fathoms.

3. Spongurus phalanga, Haeckel.

Spongurus cylindricus, Stöhr, 1880, Palæontogr., vol. xxvi. p. 119, Taf. vii. fig. 3.

Shell nearly cylindrical, five times as long as broad, with thorny surface. Spongy framework compact, everywhere of equal structure, with small meshes, scarcely broader than the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.05.

Habitat.—Pacific, central area, Station 268, depth 2600 fathoms; fossil in the Tertiary rocks of Sicily, Stöhr.

Subgenus 2. Spongurella, Haeckel.

Definition.—Spongy framework everywhere of the same structure; surface armed with radial spines.

4. Spongurus asper, Haeckel.

Haliomma asperum, Joh. Müller, 1858, Abhandl. d. k. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, p. 40, Taf. ii. fig. 2.

Haliomma asperum, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 431.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a third times as long as broad, with thorny surface and twenty symmetrically disposed, thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines, about as long as the shell. Spongy framework everywhere of the same structure, very compact, with small meshes, three to four times as broad as the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.11, breadth 0.08.

Habitat.—Mediterranean, Ligurian coast (J. Müller), Portofino (Haeckel).

5. Spongurus cylindricus, Haeckel.

Spongurus cylindricus, Haeckel, 1862, Monogr. d. Radiol., p. 465, Taf. xxvii. fig. 1.

Shell cylindrical, four to five times as long as broad, with nearly smooth surface, and twenty to thirty thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines, about half as long as the shell. Spongy framework everywhere of the same structure, very compact, with small meshes, scarcely broader than the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth 0.04 to 0.05.

Habitat.—Cosmopolitan; Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific, surface.

6. Spongurus tricolus, n. sp.

Shell nearly cylindrical, with two slight annular transverse strictures; its middle part is somewhat broader. Surface thorny, with numerous (forty to sixty or more) short, thin, radial spines, not longer than the breadth of the shell. Spongy framework everywhere of the same structure, compact, with small meshes, twice to three times as broad as the bars.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.04 to 0.06.

Habitat.—Pacific, central area, Station 272, 2600 fathoms.

Subgenus 3. Sponguroma, Haeckel.

Definition.—Spongy framework in the inner part of the shell very compact, in the outer part very loose; surface armed with radial spines.

7. Spongurus radians, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a half times as long as broad, with thorny surface, and eighty to one hundred and twenty (or more) thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines, somewhat longer than the shell. Spongy framework in the inner part very compact, in the outer part very loose, with a gradual transition between the two parts. Meshes in the central part not broader than the bars, in the superficial part ten to twenty times as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth 0.16.

Habitat.—Mediterranean, Portofino, near Genoa, Haeckel, surface.

8. Spongurus spongechinus, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a third times as long as broad, with thorny surface, and thirty to forty thick, conical radial spines, about half as long as the shell. Spongy framework in the inner part of the shell compact, in the outer loose, with a gradual transition between the two parts. Meshes in the central part smaller than the bars, in the superficial part four to eight times as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.18, breadth 0.14.

Habitat.—North Atlantic, Station 353, surface.

Genus 146. Spongocore, n. gen.

Definition.—Spongurida with ellipsoidal or cylindrical (sometimes three-jointed) shell of solid spongy framework, without internal cavity and without latticed medullary shell. Polar spines absent. An outer lattice-mantle is connected with the spongy shell by radial beams.

The genus Spongocore contains some widely distributed Spongurida, which are distinguished from the nearly related Spongurus by the development of a peculiar veil or mantle of delicate lattice-work, which envelops either the whole shell or only the middle part of it, and is connected with it by numerous radial beams. The distance of the simple fine lattice-lamella from the spongy shell is everywhere the same. Often the cylindrical shell is three-jointed, with two annular strictures, as also in the foregoing Spongurus. It is derived from the latter by development of the veil connecting the points of the radial spines.

Subgenus 1. Spongocorina, Haeckel.

Definition.—Shell without distinct annular strictures, not evidently three-jointed.

1. Spongocore velata, n. sp.

Shell ellipsoidal, one and a half times as long as broad, without annular strictures. Spongy framework loose, with rather large meshes, four to six times as broad as the bars. The whole spongy shell enveloped by a delicate veil with smooth surface, connected with it by numerous thin radial beams. Breadth of the spongy ellipsoid (or minor axis) six times as large as its distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the whole shell (with veil) 0.3, breadth 0.2; distance of the veil from the spongy ellipsoid 0.035.

Habitat.—South Atlantic, Station 325, surface.

2. Spongocore diplocylindrica, n. sp.

Shell cylindrical, three times as long as broad, without annular strictures. Spongy framework compact, with small meshes, twice to three times as broad as the bars. The whole surface of the spongy cylinder, with exception of both rounded polar faces, enveloped by a delicate cylindrical veil with smooth surface, connected with it by numerous radial beams. Diameter of the spongy cylinder twice as large as its distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.3, breadth (with veil) 0.1; distance of the veil 0.025.

Habitat.—South Pacific, Station 302, surface.

Subgenus 2. Spongocorisca, Haeckel.

Definition.—Shell distinctly three-jointed, with two transverse annular strictures.

3. Spongocore chrysalis, n. sp.

Spongy shell cylindrical, without the veil six times as long as broad, three-jointed, with two annular strictures; all three joints of the same length. The whole spongy shell enveloped by a thin veil with thorny surface, connected with it by numerous radial beams. Breadth of the spongy cylinder three times as large as its distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell (with veil) 0.4, breadth 0.1; distance of the veil from the spongy shell 0.02.

Habitat.—South Atlantic (off Patagonia), Station 318, surface.

4. Spongocore cincta, n. sp.

Spongy shell cylindrical, without the veil four times as long as broad, three-jointed, with two annular strictures; all three joints of the same length. Only the middle joint enveloped by a thin veil with smooth surface, connected with it by radial beams. Both terminal joints with long, bristle-shaped, radial spines. Breadth of the spongy cylinder twice as large as its distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.24, breadth (with veil) 0.12; distance of the veil 0.03.

Habitat.—Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Rabbe, surface.

5. Spongocore pupula, n. sp.

Spongy shell cylindrical, without the veil six times as long as broad, three-jointed, with two annular strictures; the middle joint half as long as either terminal joint. Only the middle joint enveloped by a thin veil with spiny surface, connected with it by twenty to thirty radial beams, which are prolonged on the outside into short radial spines. Breadth of the spongy cylinder about equal to its distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth (with veil) 0.1; distance of the veil 0.033.

Habitat.—North Pacific, Station 244, surface.

6. Spongocore puella, n. sp. (Pl. , fig. 6).

Spongy shell cylindrical, without the veil five times as long as broad, three-jointed, with two annular strictures; the middle joint twice as long as either terminal joint. Only the middle joint enveloped by a thin veil with delicate lattice-work and smooth surface; both terminal joints armed with numerous thin, bristle-shaped, radial spines. Breadth of the spongy cylinder twice as large as the distance from the veil.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.25 to 0.3, breadth (with veil) 0.1 to 0.12; distance of the veil 0.028 to 0.032.

Habitat.—South Pacific, Stations 295 to 304, surface.

Genus 147. Spongoprunum, n. gen.

Definition.—Spongurida with ellipsoidal or cylindrical shell of solid spongy framework, without internal cavity and without latticed medullary shell. On the poles of the axis occur two opposite strong spines.

The genus Spongoprunum differs from the most nearly allied Spongurus by the possession of two strong solid spines, lying in the axis of the ellipsoidal or cylindrical massive spongy shell, on its two opposite poles. Spongoprunum bears therefore the same relation to Spongurus that Ellipsoxiphus does to Cenellipsis.

1. Spongoprunum amphilonche, n. sp. (Pl. , fig. 7).

Shell ellipsoidal, two and a third times as long as broad, with nearly smooth surface. Spongy framework very compact, in the whole solid shell of the same structure, with very small meshes, scarcely broader than the bars. Two polar spines conical, very strong, about half as long as the main axis of the shell and three times as long as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell (without spines) 0.2, breadth 0.08.

Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 265, depth 2900 fathoms; fossil in the rocks of Barbados.

2. Spongoprunum atractus, n. sp.

Shell spindle-shaped, twice as long as broad, with thorny surface. Spongy framework loose, in the whole shell of the same structure, with large meshes, eight to twelve times as broad as the bars. Two polar spines angular, pyramidal, very strong, about one-third as long as the shell, and twice as long as broad.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth 0.11.

Habitat.—Western Tropical Pacific, Station 225, depth 4475 fathoms.

3. Spongoprunum amphicylindrus, n. sp.

Shell nearly cylindrical, four times as long as broad, with rough surface. Spongy framework compact, in the whole shell of equal structure, with small meshes, twice to three times as broad as the bars. Two polar spines cylindrical, very large, longer than the shell, and about one-fourth as thick as its diameter.

Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth 0.05.

Habitat.—South Atlantic, Station 333, surface.