MATERIALS AND METHODS Sponges were collected during September 1995 from 500-600m depths at Bush Hill (27 46-95N 91 30-49 W) and nearby sites in the Green Canyon Block of the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana slope), using a manipulator arm on the manned "Johnson-Sea-Link I'. In situ photographs were taken with an externally mounted, laser-aimed 35 mm benthos mera with 85 mm lens. Material was fixed in 10% seawater formalin then preserved in 70% ethanol. skeletal mounts and tological sections for light microscopy were ccording to standard techniques (Rutzler, 1978). Scanning electron micrographs were taken with a Hitachi S-2300 SEM. The type material and additional specimens are deposited in the Porifera collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (USNM)