Dimensions.—Major axis of the outer cortical shell 0.2, of the inner 0.15; equatorial axis of the former 0.16, of the latter 0.12; diameter of the outer medullary shell 0.06, of the inner 0.04; pores of the cortical shells 0.01 to 0.02, of the medullary shells 0.004 to 0.008, bars 0.003 to 0.006; length of the radial spines 0.1, basal breadth 0.02.
Habitat.—Indian Antarctic Ocean, Station 157, depth 1950 fathoms.
Genus 137. Lithatractus,[1] n. gen.
Definition.—Druppulida with simple ellipsoidal cortical shell and simple medullary shell, with two large opposite polar spines in the main axis of equal size and similar form.
The genus Lithatractus, rich in common and widely distributed species, begins the series of those Druppulida which are characterised by peculiar polar spines at both poles of the main axis. It repeats the formation of Stylosphæra and Ellipsostylus, and differs from the former in the ellipsoidal form of the cortical shell, from the latter in the possession of a medullary shell. Formerly all these forms were united in the one genus Stylosphæra (see above, p. 121).
Subgenus 1. Lithatractara, Haeckel.
Definition.—Network of the outer shell regular or subregular, with meshes of nearly equal size and similar form; surface smooth, without thorns or papillæ.
1. Lithatractus hexagonalis, n. sp.
Outer shell thin walled, smooth, without thorns or papillæ, with regular delicate network; the meshes hexagonal, three to four times as broad as the thin bars; ten to twelve on the half equator. Proportion of the major axis of the ellipsoid to the minor = 4 : 3. Minor axis three times as large as that of the inner spherical shell; pores of the latter, small, circular. Two spines three-sided pyramidal, as long as the radius of the outer shell, each as broad at its base as one mesh.
Dimensions.—Longer axis of the ellipsoidal cortical shell 0.16, shorter axis 0.12; pores 0.011, bars 0.003; diameter of the spherical medullary shell 0.04; length of the polar spines 0.07; basal breadth 0.01.
Habitat.—North Pacific, Station 253, depth 3125 fathoms.
2. Lithatractus fragilis, n. sp. (Pl. 16, fig. 3).
Outer shell thin walled, smooth, without thorns or papillæ, with regular network; the meshes circular, of equal size, eight to ten times as broad as the thin bars; six to eight on the half equator.
- ↑ Lithatractus = Spindle of silex; λίθος, ἄτρακτος.
