Sphærozoum neapolitanum, C. Brandt, 1881, Monatsber. d. k. preuss. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin, p. 390, Taf. i. figs. 14, 16-18.
Spicula mixed, of two different kinds; simple needles and geminate-forked. Simple rods, like those of Belonozoum italicum, more or less curved, pointed at both ends, smooth (sometimes a little thorny at both ends). Geminate spicula simply forked, like those of Sphærozoum furcatum, composed of a short, simple, axial rod, and two simple, smooth, straight shanks on each end of it, commonly somewhat longer than the middle rod. This species, which I have observed myself in Spezzia in great quantity, is quite as variable as all the other species of the genus, and has not more claim to specific rights than the others. Commonly the simple needles are much more numerous than the geminate-forked, but sometimes the contrary is the case. On their variability compare the general remarks on the genus, and the chapter on "Transformation" in the general introduction.
Dimensions.—Length of the simple spicula 0.05 to 0.1, of the middle rod of the forked spicule 0.05 to 0.08, of their shanks 0.01 to 0.03.
Habitat.—Mediterranean, Naples, Spezzia, surface.
7. Rhaphidozoum patagonicum, n. sp.
Spicula mixed, of two different kinds, simple needles and geminate-triradiate. Simple rods, like those of Belonozoum spinulosum, straight, thorny, pointed at both ends. Geminate spicula double-triradiate, like those of Sphærozoum punctatum, composed of a simple, short, axial rod and three simple pointed shanks on each end of it. Shanks straight, thorny, with many small spinules, commonly somewhat longer than the middle rod. (Often some of the spicula of both kinds are smooth, not thorny, or not straight, but a little curved, or a few forked or four-radiated geminate spicula are mingled with the others.)
Dimensions.—Diameter of the central capsules 0.08 to 0.2, length of the simple spicula 0.1 to 0.15, of the geminate 0.08 to 0.16.
Habitat.—South Pacific, west coast of Patagonia, Station 302, surface.
8. Rhaphidozoum ascensionis, n. sp.
Spicula mixed, of two different kinds, simple needles and geminate-triradiate; both kinds thin, smooth, without spinules. Simple needles somewhat curved, C- or S-shaped. Geminate spicula double-triradiate, composed of a simple, short, straight axial rod and three slender curved shanks on each end of it. Shanks two to four times longer than the middle rod. (Sometimes few simple hexaradiate and geminate tetraradiate spicula are mingled.)