THE MARINE AND FRESH-WATER SPONGES OF CALIFORNIA By M. W. DE Laxjbenfels Pasadena, Calif. INTRODUCTION The sponges of the western coast of the United States have been very little studied, although they exist in profusion and comprise a large variety of interesting forms. One hundred and one species are discussed in the following pages, and six of these {Polymastia pachyniastia., Hytneniacldon uiigodon, Zygherpe hyaloderma^ Plo-caniia igzo^ Halichoclona gellindra^ and Spongia idia) are described for the first time. In addition, three genera and five varieties are described as new. In order to render this paper of use to those who are not specialists as well as to specialists, all species that I have been able to find in California are described, whether they be new or old. Briefer reference is made to those forms that are to be found only in the literature on the subject. California's length of more than 1,400 kilometers exceeds the dis-tance from New York to Florida and that from Denmark to the Mediterranean, and depths of more than 1,500 meters are reached within 20 to 60 kilometers offshore. A great variety of species of sponges is to be expected within such limits. In addition to those treated herein, many species are to be looked for in the deeper waters offshore, as well as other shallow-water forms from the northern part of the State. Most of the present marine biological investiga-rion, however, is being carried on off the central and southern coasts, and it is believed that the species of those waters are herein rather thoroughly covered. I have personally searched the intertidal areas rather carefully, have had much dredged material representing the central-California region presented to me by E. F. Ricketts, and have studied the ex-tensive collection dredged off southern California during the years 1909 to 1927 by tlie University of Southern California. (See Figure 1 for map of localities mentioned in this report.) No. 2927.-PROCEEDINGS U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. VOL. 81, ART. 4. 107704—32 1 1
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