The genus Staurancistra differs from its ancestral form, Staurolonche, in the ramification of the four crossed spines.
1. Staurancistra quadricuspis, n. sp.
Cortical shell thin walled, with rough, thorny surface, and irregular, roundish pores, twice to four times as broad as the bars; six to eight on the quadrant. Medullary shell one-third as large, with regular, circular pores; connected with the cortical shell by four crossed radial beams. These are prolonged outside into four strong three-sided prismatic spines, nearly as long as the shell diameter, each having three curved branches below the distal end. (Similar to Hexancistra quadricuspis, Pl. 22, fig. 11, but with only four spines.)
Dimensions.—Diameter of the cortical shell 0.16, of the medullary shell 0.05; pores of the former 0.06 to 0.012, bars 0.003; length of the spines 0.14, breadth 0.012.
Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 271, depth 2425 fathoms.
Genus 65. Staurolonchidium,[1] n. gen.
Definition.—Staurosphærida with two concentric lattice-spheres and four crossed simple spines which are disposed in two different pairs, two opposite being larger than the other two.
The genus Staurolonchidium has arisen from Staurolonche by the stronger growth of the two opposite spines, the other two remaining stationary; both spines of each pair equal.
1. Staurolonchidium artioscelides, n. sp.
Cortical shell thin walled, with smooth surface, three times as broad as the medullary shell. Pores regular, circular, hexagonally framed, twice as broad as the bars; eight to ten on the quadrant. Four radial spines three-sided pyramidal, as broad as one mesh; two opposite larger spines three times as long as the two smaller, which are about equal to the radius.
Dimensions.—Diameter of the cortical shell 0.16, medullary shell 0.05; pores of the former 0.012, bars 0.006; length of the major spines 0.24, minor 0.08.
Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 265, surface.
2. Staurolonchidium perspicuum, Haeckel.
Cortical shell thin walled, covered with small conical by-spines, five times as broad as the medullary shell. Pores regular, circular, eight times as broad as the bars; three to four on the quadrant. Four radial spines three-sided pyramidal, scarcely one-third as broad as one mesh; two opposite larger spines four times as long as the two smaller, which are about equal to half the radius.
- ↑ Staurolonchidium = Diminutive from Staurolonche.
