The genus Lithomespilus differs from the closely allied Ellipsoxiphus in the further differentiation of both poles of the main axis. One pole exhibits only a single polar spine, the other pole a group of several spines, peculiarly grouped together. It differs from the similar Sphæromespilus (Pl. 14, figs. 12, 13) in the ellipsoidal form of the shell.
1. Lithomespilus phloginus, n. sp. (Pl. 14, fig. 16).
Proportion of the major axis of the ellipsoid to the minor = 4 : 3. Shell thick walled, with circular pores of different size, the breadth of which equals that of the bars; twelve to fifteen pores on the half equator. Surface smooth, with the exception of a circumpolar region covered with numerous thick spines of unequal size, which surround the large single polar spine and are curved like a bow against its axis. This larger polar spine is straight, and equals in length the major axis of the shell. The other and opposite polar spine is scarcely one-fourth as long, perfectly simple, very stout, and of a three-sided pyramidal shape.
Dimensions.—Longer axis of the ellipsoidal shell 0.08, shorter axis 0.06; pores 0.002 to 0.006, bars 0.003 to 0.005; length of the polar spines—longer 0.08, shorter 0.02.
Habitat.—Indian Ocean, near Madagascar, depth 1200 fathoms, Smith.
2. Lithomespilus phlogoides, n. sp. (Pl. 14, fig. 17).
Proportion of the major axis to the minor = 5 : 4. Shell very thick walled, with roundish, double-contoured pores of different size and form, twice to three times as broad as the bars; sixteen to eighteen pores on the half equator. Surface smooth, with the exception of a circumpolar region covered with numerous thin spines of unequal size, which surround the large single polar spine and are curved like a bow against its axis. This larger polar spine is straight, and equals half the size of the major axis of the shell; the other polar spine (sometimes double, as in the figured specimen) is much shorter, being scarcely one-fourth as long.
Dimensions.—Longer axis of the shell 0.08, shorter axis 0.065; pores 0.003 to 0.006, bars 0.002 to 0.004; length of the polar spines—longer 0.04, shorter 0.01.
Habitat.—Central area of the Pacific, Stations 270 to 272, depth 2425 to 2925 fathoms.
3. Lithomespilus flammeus, n. sp.
Proportion of the major axis to the minor = 4 : 3. Shell thick walled, with irregular, roundish pores, about as broad as the bars; ten to twelve pores on the half equator. Surface spiny. Length of the conical straight spines increasing towards the poles; each polar spine surrounded by a circumpolar group of larger, somewhat curved spines. The larger polar spine equals in length the major axis; the smaller is scarcely half as long. (The figure, given by Bury, is not quite exact; there the spines are situated in the pores, instead of between them. In my specimen the polar spines were not branched.)
